Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs -- Click here for PDF version.
Editors’ Note
In volume 7, no. 5, the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs proudly presents a comprehensive special issue dedicated to Sri Lanka. This edition is a mosaic of perspectives, dissecting Sri Lanka’s strategic posture, economic ventures and misadventures, humanitarian endeavors, and geopolitical significance in the Indo-Pacific tapestry.
Our Feature section commences with “In Pursuit of Sri Lanka’s Strategy in the Indian Ocean Region” by CDR CRP Walakuluge and CDR BARI Abeysekara. The authors craft a persuasive narrative for a unified Indian Ocean strategy, advocating for a peace zone that upholds freedom of navigation and sustainable access, positioning Sri Lanka as a formidable maritime entity.
Following suit, “Mitigating Natural Disasters in the Indo-Pacific: A Study of Sri Lanka’s Naval and Coast Guard Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations” by Laraib Ali and Dr. Maliha Zeba Khan scrutinizes Sri Lanka’s naval and coast guard roles in disaster mitigation. The piece accentuates the importance of regional collaboration and capacity enhancement, spotlighting the proactive strides toward bolstering human and national security via adept disaster response.
“Geoeconomic Landscaping: Prospects of Sri Lanka’s Engagement with the US Indo-Pacific Economic Framework,” penned by Michael Iveson and Keerthi Martyn, delves into the economic and geopolitical stakes of the US Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. The authors deliberate on Sri Lanka’s potential alliance with the framework, juxtaposing economic allure against geopolitical predicaments, and highlight the imperative for the United States to surmount participation barriers.
“The Role of Domestic Factors in Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs: Implications for the United States’ Engagements” by Tshering Eudon critiques the interplay between Sri Lanka’s internal political dynamics and its foreign policy. The article calls for a recalibration of US foreign policy to align with Sri Lanka’s socioeconomic landscape, underscoring the salience of domestic influences in crafting cogent foreign engagements.
In “India’s Extraordinary Support during Sri Lanka’s Crisis: Motivations and Impacts,” Thilina Panduwawala dissects India’s strategic maneuvers in response to Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic turmoil. The analysis probes India’s motivations for substantial aid, its geopolitical ramifications, and the intricacies of maintaining equilibrium with major economies amid the Indian Ocean’s strategic rivalry.
Our Commentaries section features “Ailing Healthcare, Eroding Trust: Sri Lanka’s Healthcare Crisis and Its Geopolitical Implications” by Prof. Pandula Athauda-Arachchi et al. This comprehensive study navigates through Sri Lanka’s healthcare quandary, exploring foundational issues and viable remedies, while contemplating the wider social and geopolitical fallout of a beleaguered healthcare system on regional harmony.
Concluding the issue, “Citizen Science for Security: Harnessing Collaborative Citizen Science for Enhanced Security and Environmental Resilience in the Indo-Pacific” by Adjunct Associate Professor Adam Smith et al. champions the novel integration of citizen science in tackling environmental and security challenges. The article showcases triumphant biodiversity initiatives and proffers strategies for future ventures, demonstrating the synergy of technology and communal participation in augmenting data acquisition and ecological robustness.
This special issue encapsulates the intricate confluence of strategic, economic, and humanitarian elements that sculpt Sri Lanka’s role in the Indo-Pacific. We trust that these articles will ignite informed debate and enrich the comprehension of the region’s intricate dynamics.
The editors wish to thank Commander Amila Prasanga, Sri Lanka Navy; and Dr. Bhagya Senaratne for their contributions in organizing this issue.
—the Editors