National policy-making is a complex and time-consuming task, and sometimes extra effort is needed due to the gravity of the impact national policies have on the country and its communities. As such, many democratic countries put a lot of emphasis on developing national strategies which are crafted with strong bipartisan support, so that the policy has longevity and effectiveness over many years, or even decades. Such an approach to policy-making is not only sought for economic, educational and trade policy creation, but also to craft foreign policy and national security policies. 

A bipartisan approach to the planning and funding of our foreign policy, security and defence capability would ensure a nation’s national security has clear, long-term, bipartisan support. It also helps to implement the principle that national security is the most important task of the Government, which should transcend individual political positions of the day and provide budget resources, guidelines, management and oversight necessary to ensure the task is met. As a small littoral state, with a struggling economy, Sri Lanka needs to develop both robust diplomatic and intelligence-led defence deterrence structures to ensure Sri Lanka’s border national security objectives can be secured in an increasingly dynamic geopolitical climate. The foreign policy and national security challenges facing Sri Lanka are vast. They are also structural and long term. As such, a strong, bipartisan commitment to long-term diplomatic, strategic and policy stability will have significant benefits for Sri Lanka.

However, such an approach has never been effectively pursued in Sri Lanka and is new territory for the lawmakers. Nevertheless, given that the economic crisis and the collective journey through the related crucible over the last three years, the Sri Lankan policy-making community, some grudgingly have ‘settled’ on a somewhat ‘agreed’ general plan of action for economic recovery. As such, given the more enlightened nature of politics today, the time may be right for Sri Lanka to experiment and forge bipartisan support for an improved foreign policy and a national security policy. Sri Lanka also needs to that it exercises its sovereignty and agency effectively to ensure that increasing geopolitical contestation in the Indian Ocean doesn’t force the island into acting against its national interests, or to be ‘put in a straitjacket’ limiting our options and freedoms. Having strong bipartisan support for national policies, especially a sound foreign policy and linked national security/defence policy will go a long way in enabling such autonomy. If such an atmosphere is formed and enforced, it will also help improve economic, social and political stability in the island, which in turn will help attract investors, which Sri Lanka desperately needs. Sri Lanka’s existing and future partners want to know they can invest in the island without fear of being left to face the risk of sudden policy shifts in Colombo. This is not to say that bipartisan support alone must drive national policy formulation. Sometimes over reliance on bipartisan support for critical policy development, can generate its own challenges. Waiting for bipartisan support can also delay critical policy development.

Following elections in Singapore, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong revealed his revamped cabinet yesterday and announced that Minister Chan Chun Sing will take over from the retiring Minister Ng Eng Hen as Singapore's Minister for Defence. Speaking at a press conference Chan said "today... We are living in a changed world, and Singapore would need to evolve new capabilities to be prepared for the new scenarios in the coming years. Singapore needed to ask ourselves, what are those new capabilities that we must build ahead of time so that our defence force can remain ready, relevant, and resilient?" he said.

These are questions Sri Lankan foreign policy and defence officials and lawmakers should be asking. There are lessons to learn from successful, small littoral nations across the world, which could aid Sri Lanka chart a better path forward. It is incumbent on the Government, the lawmakers and state officials to evolve Sri Lanka to a better place, and part of that is working together to build policies which help ensure national interest are reached and maintained through a collective effort. Together we are stronger.