https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5090 2026-04-23T10:45:19Z 2026-04-23T10:45:19Z Kulatunga, SACR Kumara, AKJS https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5112 2023-04-26T11:00:15Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

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.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Wijetunge, MADCK Wanasinghe, HWN https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5111 2023-04-26T11:04:35Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

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.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Premarathna, PKBI https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5110 2023-04-26T11:05:03Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

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.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Wanasingh, N Wijetunge, K https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5109 2023-04-26T11:49:10Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

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