Prospects of Improving Civil-Military Integration to Address Maritime Drug Trafficking in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Centrality of its location in east west sea lanes has placed Sri Lanka in both advantageous and disadvantageous positions in the context of national security. Though Sri Lanka does not have an immediate threat for her national security in the form of a traditional way, expansions in non-traditional security issues cannot be ruled out easily. Drug trafficking has become one of the serious non-traditional security threats and the existence of the issue is so complex that military alone cannot address it effectively. Therefore, the researcher examined and explored the problem of identifying lapses in civil-military integration in countering drug trafficking and has brought out certain recommendations to enhance such integration. Since this issue mostly affects the Sri Lankan society, the survey method has been used and experts in both military and civil sector in maritime security as well as drugs and narcotics fields have been interviewed to gather primary data. The qualitative approach facilitated the researcher to better analyse their opinions and subsequently test and compare their validity with available literature such as drug apprehension reports, journals and articles. It was revealed that the level of integration between civil and military is at a very lower level in this context. Thus, understanding the gaps between civil and military and their abilities at having effective counter drug mechanisms would benefit society as it is able to have a peaceful, uncorrupted and secure environment. Certainly, this healthy integration would not only be applicable for a drug trafficking scenario, but also to have better counter actions for other non-traditional security issues as well.