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‘Sri Lanka will intervene in any geopolitical security issues’ 

23 Jun 2021

By Dinitha Rathnayake    The Foreign Affairs Ministry will get involved if any issue arises with regard to Sri Lanka’s national security owing to the regional geopolitical situation, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday (22).  Responding to a question posed by a journalist regarding the recent reports about the Indian Navy preparing to secure the maritime borders of their country due to Chinese development projects in Sri Lanka, Rambukwella said that the Government would keep its eyes open and will intervene in any geopolitics matters that require attention.  He also added that Sri Lanka as a country could have issues with regional security due to geopolitics.  According to Indian media reports, during an interview, the Indian Navy Vice Chief, Vice Admiral G. Ashok Kumar has said that with the Chinese Navy getting new port projects in Sri Lanka, it could pose a threat to Indian interests in the region and that therefore, there is a need to keep a close watch on such activities.  “The Indian Navy is very well prepared to secure the maritime boundaries of the country and there is no way anyone can surprise us. However, if you want to analyse whether it is a threat or not, it is a very difficult question. But the fact is that when somebody who is external to the region starts showing so much interest even though they might have rational reasons to do so, as the majority of their energy sources pass through this region, is it a logical thing for nations to do, yes? Could that pose a threat to us? It could. We just need to ensure that it is being closely watched,” Kumar told the Indian media on 18 June.  According to those reports, China has been making inroads in Sri Lanka with regard to the reclaimed Port City near Colombo. Prior to that, they gained control over the Hambantota Port which was leased to them.  Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has said that predator drones are helping the maritime forces enhance its surveillance all across the Indian Ocean region, including in Sri Lanka, as Chinese activity poses a threat to India’s security, as reported by Indian media.  “This helps us keep a close watch on vessels of interest passing through there.”  India, it is reported, plans to buy 30 armed drones from the United States to boost its sea and land defences as tensions persist with China and its traditional foe Pakistan.


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