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CHAPTER 5 Forces training. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Pacific Augmentation
Team (PAT) have partnered with SLN. Those agencies have been working collaboratively with
PARTNERSHIPS AND NAVAL DIPLOMACY SLN and mutually organizing tailor-made as well as customized courses for a range of military
participants since 2016.
Introduction Military diplomacy through the placement of Defence Attaches (DAs) in foreign countries and
Expanding our network of partners and improving our ability to operate alongside their naval inviting more foreign military representatives on Sri Lankan soil will augment our global
forces foster the secure environment essential to a free flow of goods, protect our natural resources, acceptance. Australia, India and Indonesia are facilitating the opportunity of permanent residential
promote stability, prevent conflict and maintain our neutral stance. Understanding the influence of DAs of SLN. The contribution and sending of potential SLN officers for overseas assignments are
regional powerhouses are paramount important for deciding the well-balanced maritime strategy to be continued and new opportunities are to be sought. The capacity building of potential officers
for Sri Lanka. Even though the influence of the United States all over the world seems to endure, is to be deliberated aiming at expanding the future maritime landscape.
Russia and Europe may remain important global actors. The economic and soft power of the West
tends to be weakened. Meanwhile, China is booming globally and directing its energy through the Strengthen Diplomatic ties with Maritime Nations
sea. The alliances such as Quad and AUKUS encourage Sri Lanka to strategize pragmatic maritime
strategy in order to sustain the status quo. Consensual engagements are essential for lasting At present, like-minded maritime nations are interconnected through a web of alliances and Sri
benefits. Sri Lanka must use the ocean as a conduit for building relationships. The UN, Combined Lanka stands in a prominent place mainly due to its location. SLN has maintained balanced
Maritime Forces (CMF) and other maritime organizations to be rightly tapped and pre-emptive diplomatic ties with all the South Asian countries which allows our role as maritime facilitator in
efforts are imperative for capitalizing on new opportunities. Thus, the force structure and the the region. Sri Lanka is the only country in South Asia that can invite all other South Asian
capabilities of SLN and SLCG are required to be compatible with the futuristic demand of global countries to sit and talk in one forum. It is the unique advantage Sri Lanka has compared to all our
maritime efforts. neighbours.
The US and other partner nations in the Indo-Pacific work on the concept of a ‘Free Indo-Pacific’
Development of Partnerships through Diplomacy and are more concerned with regional security. Similarly, Sri Lanka collaborates and coordinates
The promotion of free and open seas ensures maritime safety and security while tackling with regional nations to ensure freedom of navigation and regional security. The SLN aims to
enhance capabilities through diplomatic partnerships with Australia, China, France, India, Japan,
environmental issues that come directly under naval responsibility. Navy’s operation in isolation
can achieve limited success thus navies are building partnerships with foreign friendly nations. Maldives, Russia, Singapore, the UK and the US to protect the maritime environment. Sri Lanka
The partnerships of SLN have grown ever since the Navy was established on the Island. The is widely regarded for its contribution towards the formulation of UNCLOS and remains a
country is known for having a non-aligned policy while maintaining relationships with regional signatory or ratified nation for the majority of peaceful conventions and holds responsibility for
international obligations. The already signed 76 bilateral agreements and ongoing initiatives to
and extra-regional stakeholders. The global recognition for the hospitability and openness of our
country paved the path for booming healthier relationships with foreign navies, Coast Guards, and sign MoUs between like-minded countries facilitate enhanced diplomatic ties with nations.
other agencies. Therefore, a futuristic action plan is to be worked out with a pragmatic approach in order to take
all potential states on board.
The evolving maritime competition in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region opens many
windows of opportunity for Sri Lanka to strengthen its existing as well as fresh partnerships with Engage in Joint Patrols and Exercises with Regional Navies
maritime stakeholders. The strategic competition of powerful countries for establishing their
footprint creates both opportunities and threats for countries like Sri Lanka. The strategic The SLN has been pledging for UN missions and contributed to global efforts since 2009. The UN
competition between the US and China may trigger a conflict situation or an unstable IOR. missions bestow the opportunity for financial benefits and invariably elevate the professionalism
Therefore, a bandwagon or taking sides are not viable options. Thus, a balanced approach is key of SLN personnel. Several South Asian navies successfully deploy naval vessels in UN
to remaining nonaligned and presenting SLN as a valued partner for stabilizing the IOR. peacekeeping operations, earning significant contributions to the economy and GDP. SLN may
follow suit, a similar approach would foster a positive and healthy competitive culture within the
Our partnerships grew numerically and the challenge is to develop healthier ones which produce navy, directing the naval force towards talent enhancement and competency development.
mutual benefits. The complementary interests of stakeholders can be served through the Recently CMF has opened doors for SLN to conduct joint patrols. The invitation of CMF may be
partnerships among likeminded countries. The accurate identification of complementary interests a further catalyst for the UN missions as well. The development of capabilities to deploy for CMF
of maritime stakeholders is the primary task and strategizing to capitalize on strengths and or UN missions should be considered in future force structuring. The interoperability and
capabilities through interoperability and interdependency is the secondary task. interdependency only can be achieved through technological match, which requires sophistication
and sufficient budgetary allocations. The country may be rewarded with international recognition
Naval Diplomacy is unique for an island nation like Sri Lanka in which the country can extend its and will have a professionally competent naval force as a return on investment.
goodwill and peaceful stance. Since 2000, SLN has been sending ships on goodwill visits. Sri
Lanka is facilitating port calls for all friendly navies. Since 2008, the country has hosted 646 The regional navies of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan maintain strong relationships with SLN
foreign naval ships. however great effort is to be taken to avoid the delusion that SLN supporting any navy against the
interests of another. The steadily growing number of joint maritime exercises is a real testament
Ongoing capacity building efforts among friendly foreign countries are in significant growth. The to SLN’s attempt to build interdependency and interoperability among partners. SLN has the
expertise and tacit knowledge in asymmetric warfare give SLN a prominent role in disseminating added advantage of having strong neighbouring navies for collaboration. Several key naval
knowledge with foreign navies pioneering Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) and Special

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