In the lead up to Sri Lanka’s Presidential election in October 2024, there have been numerous visits by foreign governments to create a good rapport with the various candidates. Visits by great powers to Sri Lanka appear to be a tradition before a national election or during global calamities. My analyses over the years indicate…… Continue reading Sri Lankan elections and an Indian Ocean tug-of-war

The Indo-Pacific has become the focal point of discussion among strategists in the 21st century, which is evident from the implementation of different instruments such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). The strategic posture entailed within the Indo-Pacific security architecture necessitates a military balance of power within the region,…… Continue reading The Indo-Pacific: An Examination of Regional Instruments for Improved Coordination

Throughout Sri Lanka’s pre-colonial history, trade with Chinese merchants, transhipment of Chinese goods, embarking of Chinese ships and people was an ordinary occurrence. Similarly, relations with the Malay Peninsula span over 2,000 years, as China protected Malaysia from foreign invasion and also traded with them. Malaysia and Sri Lanka were initial subscribers of the Belt…… Continue reading China’s Engagement with Maritime Nations: A Case Study