India’s announcement that the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) will be elevated to an international organization has been welcomed, but concerns remain over Sri Lanka’s lack of a National Security Advisor (NSA).
In a statement, Dinouk Colambage, Former Director of International Affairs to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, said Sri Lanka’s attention must immediately turn to the current absence of a National Security Advisor.
“Legislation was drafted during former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure to institutionalize the Office of the National Security Advisor. The government must implement this vital legislation to ensure the country benefits completely from the CSC,” he said.
He noted that without an NSA, the Secretary of Defence has been forced to play both roles.
Colambage added that during Wickremesinghe’s presidency, Sri Lanka pursued greater formalisation of the Conclave through the involvement of NSAs from all member states. “Under the NPP government, this has now been abandoned by Sri Lanka, and has been left to be driven solely by India,” he said.
Highlighting recent shortcomings, Colambage pointed to the lack of response to the sinking of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena by an American submarine in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone last month. “The failure by both the CSC and Sri Lanka to comment highlights the absence of a voice for security in the Indian Ocean,” he observed.
He expressed hope that the further formalisation and expansion of the Conclave will ensure greater strength and influence in regional security. (Newswire)