Sri Lanka's defence policy and shifting balance of power in the Indian Ocean

The launch of this timely and scholarly work comes at a critical juncture in regional and global geopolitics. As a nation strategically located at the heart of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka must continuously evaluate and adapt its defence policy to the evolving security landscape.

- By ADMIRAL Dr. JAYANATH COLOMBAGE

Professor Keerawella’s book provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of Sri Lanka's defence posture, from independence to the present, while also situating the island nation within the broader geopolitical dynamics of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

In my professional capacity—as a naval officer, diplomat, and former Foreign Secretary—I have observed, firsthand, the increasing complexity of maritime affairs and strategic competition in the Indian Ocean. The rise of new power centres, the reemergence of great power rivalry, and the growing importance of sea lines of communication (SLOCs) underscore the need for small and strategically located nations, like Sri Lanka, to develop nuanced, pragmatic, and future-oriented defence strategies.

Professor Keerawella’s research contributes significantly to this national and regional discourse. His work not only chronicles Sri Lanka’s defence policy evolution, but also critically assesses how global and regional power shifts—particularly between China, India, and the United States—are reshaping the strategic environment around the island. In doing so, he highlights the strategic choices that confront Sri Lanka and the importance of preserving our sovereignty, neutrality, and maritime security through a well-calibrated foreign and defence policy.

This publication fills a significant gap in the literature on South Asian security studies and should be considered essential reading for policymakers, strategists, academics, and anyone interested in the future of Sri Lanka and the wider Indian Ocean region.

The author traces how global and regional geopolitical changes have shaped Sri Lanka's strategic outlook, raising a fundamental question: does Sri Lanka have a coherent and documented national security or foreign policy?