Page 17 - MDSL Final

MARITIME DOCTRINE OF SRI LANKA

DOCTRINE DEVELOPMENT TEAM’S INTRODUCTION

The Maritime Doctrine of Sri Lanka (MDSL) is developed to explicate
as to what constitutes maritime power and why is it important for the
safety, security, well-being and prosperity of Sri Lanka. However, the
MDSL deals mainly with the concepts and principles of employment of
Sri Lanka’s naval power.

MDSL seeks to describe the importance of the sea to all Sri Lankans and
sets out the Sri Lanka Navy’s (SLN) unique role within. The Doctrine was
compiled at the Naval Headquarters, Colombo with wide ranging inputs
from serving and retired naval experts, naval institutions and studying
Maritime Doctrines of several countries. Further, US Navy Warfare
Publication ‘Navy Planning NWP 5-01 (Edition December 2013)’ and
Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (JP 2-01.3,
June 2009) were examined to compile Navy Planning (Chapter 11).
MDSL is designed to be read and understood in a logical progression. In
first four Chapters, it provides the understanding of maritime doctrine,
people and theoretical background to the nature of conflict and concepts
of war respectively. Then it explains the geopolitical and geostrategic
concerns in Indian Ocean Region in Chapter 5. In Chapter 6, at a
fundamental level it explains the importance of maritime fighting power
and its components; conceptual, physical and moral. Further, defines
armed forces’ ability to fight and achieve success in maritime operations.
Principles of War are described in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 describes the vital
relationship between maritime affairs and international law. Concepts
and application of maritime power are described in Chapter 9. Figure
9.3 reflects the role of SLN and describes interrelationship between the
three key roles of maritime forces; military, diplomatic and constabulary.
Thereafter, Chapter 10 describes the ways in which structure and
organisation of SLN support its ability to raise, train and sustain effective
maritime force. Naval Planning is included for the better understanding
and to comprehend the essence of naval planning and to achieve the
operational commander’s objectives in Chapter 11. Finally, Chapter 12
sets out the likely challenges and opportunities facing sea power in the
future. It explores the potential implications of key technological, social
and economic developments for the shape and roles of maritime forces,
particularly the ways in which navies may increase their ability to directly
influence events on land.

To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea xiv