Outgoing US Ambassador tells Lanka to citizens to ensure peace through strength

Outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung has stated that Sri Lanka needs to train its citizens not only for the ills of the future, but also for the militancy of the future, to ensure it can maintain peace through strength.

- 

Addressing the faculty and students at the National Defence College, Diner’s Club, in Colombo, recently the Ambassador said: “I want to emphasize the critical link between prosperity and strength, and the connection between economic security and national security. Economic security is not just about prosperity – it is intrinsically linked to national sovereignty. A strong economy empowers a nation to make independent decisions, free from undue external influence. This is particularly crucial for Sri Lanka, given its strategic location and the economic opportunities and security risks associated with its maritime domain, including sitting on the sea lanes transporting 2/3 of the world’s oil. Sri Lanka’s ability to secure and protect these shipping lanes is an economic opportunity, but it is also a national and region al security challenge, with regional competitors seeking their own advantages. As Sri Lanka’s economy strengthens, it will be better equipped to independently navigate these sensitive geopolitical waters.