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 Colombage, 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. 

Colombage 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)

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Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says the Colombo Security Conclave will be granted the status of an international organisation, with an Indian national serving as its first Secretary General.

Addressing the media in Colombo on Sunday (19), Misri said discussions with national advisors and their deputies in various countries have made progress in this regard.

He further noted that agreements related to the process have been concluded, while a decision on the final headquarters remains pending.

Misri stated that, thereafter, the first Secretary General of the Colombo Security Conclave will, by consensus, be an Indian national, with approvals for the appointment currently underway.

He added that the move will benefit all countries that are part of the Colombo Security Conclave and concentrated around the Indian Ocean.

The Colombo Security Conclave is a regional security grouping focused on maritime security, counterterrorism, and transnational crime in the Indian Ocean, established in 2011.

It comprises India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh, Seychelles, and Malaysia. (Newswire)

Just in: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri says Colombo Security Conclave will be given the status of an international organisation, with an Indian national as its first secretary General. HQs agreement under process. pic.twitter.com/1ro9qNrpQ5

— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 19, 2026

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Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval participated in the signing of the Founding Documents of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), during his visit to Sri Lanka from 29-30 August 2024.

According to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, the Charter and  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the CSC Secretariat were signed in Colombo today by India, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. 

The Indian High Commission said the signing of the agreement comes pursuant to the discussions at the 6th NSA level meeting of CSC held in December 2023 in Mauritius.

Addressing the event, the visiting Indian official highlighted the significance of the Founding Documents to further bolster CSC’s pivotal role in ensuring regional security and stability. 

Emphasising the role of CSC in ensuring sustained engagement across diverse pillars of cooperation, he stressed the importance of collective efforts in addressing traditional, non-traditional, and emerging hybrid challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. (Newswire)

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