The Pathfinder foundation, an independent think tank has developed a national security strategy (NSS) with a view to enable Sri Lanka to meet present and future challenges.
The document is to be submitted to the President, Prime Minister and all presidential candidates.
This policy framework document views national security from the perspective of both state and its citizens.
It takes into account the role of both traditional national security threats such as those founded on ethnic grievances and socio-economic disparities that drive internal actors to challenge the state, and that of the new actors of international terrorism, who are trying to take advantage of the situation of the country to achieve their sinister global and regional objectives
The foundation has highlighted a number of key recommendations for national security. The NSS recommends that Sri Lanka engage in a ‘high wire act’ to balance the influences of China, India and the United States, in order to safeguard the fundamental interests of the country.
The NSS highlights the need for an efficient and effective system of security and vigilance spearheaded by a competent intelligence service.
However, the foundation warns that such a system should not lead to the infringement of the rights of citizens.
The Pathfinder Foundation’s NSS also calls on officials to examine the merits of Vietnam’s ‘multi-directional foreign policy’ taking into account that global powers are considering defense-related arrangements with Sri Lanka.
It also calls for the creation of a National Security Council, a permanent secretariat and the appointment of a National Security Advisor competent enough to discharge the responsibilities of the office.
The Pathfinder Foundation’s interest in producing this document titled ‘The Pathfinder – National Security Strategy 2020 for Sri Lanka’ dates back to 2018 when the idea was first mooted by its founder, Milinda Moragoda soon after the Foundation developed and released ‘A Code of Conduct for the Indian Ocean’ in early that year.
(LI)