Defence & Strategic Studies
http://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5090
2024-03-29T11:33:45ZThe Port Policy of Small Island Powers: Sri Lankan Perspective
http://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5112
The Port Policy of Small Island Powers: Sri Lankan Perspective
Kulatunga, SACR; Kumara, AKJS
This paper discusses the requirement of
reorienting the port policy of Sri Lanka. The port
policy directly concerns national interest and the
fundamental values of the state that are strategically
significant for acquiring, managing, and controlling
the global power strategy. At present, Sri Lanka is
expanding port policies due to the shift in the power
of the global economic arena. Therefore,
Hambanthota and Colombo port have given
significance to Sri Lanka and made them maritime
influencers in their own rights. In this context, each
of the global powers will see a threat to itself if the
Government of Sri Lanka is to favour one over the
other. Even though Sri Lanka has applied the nonalignment
policy approach, the littoral state, port
policy of Sri Lanka faces the dilemma of balancing or
bandwagoning strategy with the state and non-state
actors. The objectives of the present research are to
explain the geo strategic importance of Sri Lanka in
terms of port power and to critically examine the
challenges to the port policy of Sri Lanka, to
investigate the positive and negative impact of
challenges to the port security of Sri Lanka. Research
methods of the present research deal with both
descriptive and analytical in nature. The study is
mainly based on secondary sources. This research
found the unstable port policies with the frequent
change of domestic government resulted in chaos in
the economic stability. Observation has made the
reluctance of co-operation and difficulty of managing
and understanding maritime agreements, and lack of
coherent functionalism in the port policies. Thus, a
non-aligned strategic approach would be the best
port policy for Sri Lanka. Further, the structure of the
international system is influential, and Sri Lanka
must not persuade the individual character of the
leader where port policies must base on an in-depth
understanding of the maritime concepts and theories
and apply them into function.
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZConceptualising an Air Diplomacy Framework for Air Strategy of Small Air Forces to Strengthen Foreign Policy Aspirations: Sri Lankan Perspective and Way Forward
http://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5111
Conceptualising an Air Diplomacy Framework for Air Strategy of Small Air Forces to Strengthen Foreign Policy Aspirations: Sri Lankan Perspective and Way Forward
Wijetunge, MADCK; Wanasinghe, HWN
The term air diplomacy first came into
limelight in the first half of the 20th century amidst
the advent of air power. The air diplomacy is the
employment of air power elements in support of the
foreign policy. The study explored how an air
diplomacy framework could be incorporated into the
air strategy with object to strengthen country’s
foreign policy aspirations; further, it is benefitted to
bolster the tangible and non-tangible capabilities of
the SLAF. The contemporary world has seen
regional/global air forces have been attempting to
leverage air power in quest of protecting national
interests and human capital beyond its seashores.
Although, it is observed that Sri Lanka has not been
exploiting the air diplomacy to the fullest extent, in
quest of attaining foreign policy aspirations
irrespective of the governments in power. Hence, it is
imperative to bridge this gap and employ the air
diplomacy in order to attain desired ends while
supporting the regional stability/cooperation.
Researchers have derived the conceptual framework
based on the review of theoretical studies. The
exploratory study accustomed with inductive
approach and interpretivism research philosophy
while conducted as a qualitative study. Eventually,
researchers have developed an air diplomacy
framework which could, schematically be imbedded
into SLAF’s air strategy, whilst aiming to support
country’s foreign policy aspirations, subsequent to
recognised current government’s foreign policy
imperatives, where the air diplomacy could be
employed. The two spheres of SLAF’s engagements
within the air diplomacy spectrum explored as
kinetic and non-kinetic engagements.
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZMaritime Terrorism in South East Asia: An Assessment
http://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5110
Maritime Terrorism in South East Asia: An Assessment
Premarathna, PKBI
This research evaluates the possibility of
an increase in maritime terrorist violence in
Southeast Asia, based on a recounting and analysis
of some of the most recent past incidents in these
waters. Through the research objective, it tries to
identify the challenges facing states in the region in
maritime terrorism and the emerging trends in
maritime terrorism. It also studies the emerging
terrorists in Southeast Asia and their potential.
Further, it pays particular attention to how geostrategic
issues in Southeast Asia are confronted.
The research was based on qualitative methodology,
and only secondary data were used. Secondary data
were collected by means of a literature review and
reference sources such as legislation, international
treaties, academic literature, newspaper articles and
sources. Maritime terrorism is seen as a critical
threat to maritime safety in Southeast Asia.
According to research, maritime security challenges
in Southeast Asia are relatively high compared to
other Asian regions, and maritime terrorism has
grown significantly. Terrorist attacks in the
maritime domain are worrisome because of their
potential flow on trade effects. In South-East Asia,
maritime terrorism by vile non-state actors takes
place primarily in the Sulus and Celebes seas, with
the Abu Sayyaf group considered the main author.
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZPragmatic Response for Maritime-Air Security, a Way Forward: A Conceptual Framework from a Strategic Aerial Perspective
http://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5109
Pragmatic Response for Maritime-Air Security, a Way Forward: A Conceptual Framework from a Strategic Aerial Perspective
Wanasingh, N; Wijetunge, K
The underlying concept of airpower is an
ability of a nation to achieve its objectives and secure
its interests through the means of air and associated
capabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in
a weak economy thus making Sri Lanka vulnerable to
different security and sustainable development
challenges. This situation will continue until the
world is completely recovered from the COVID-19
pandemic. Sri Lanka has a greater blue economic
potential considering its huge oceanic resources
compared to the land area which is yet to be
exploited. In new normal conditions, the exploitation
of natural treasure inherited in our seas would be a
great benefit for the developing economy of the
Island nation. Already the geostrategic advantage
and marine resources of Sri Lanka are being utilized
by various state and non-state actors in the region
and extra-region. Hence the development of
maritime security structure through an integrated
system comprising all aerial and maritime
stakeholders would be of utmost importance in
future exploitation of these sea frontiers whilst
ensuring national security. Hence as a remedy smart,
stretched re-fleeting of assets, formulation of the
conceptual maritime-air command structure, and
conduct of joint training was recommended to
address maritime security challenges Sri Lanka is
facing at present in order to conduct effective and
efficient maritime-air operations in the future.
2021-01-01T00:00:00Z