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US Admiral Paparo highlights Lanka’s strategic role in Indo-Pacific security
US Indo-Pacific Command Commander, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, said on Thursday that Sri Lanka’s geostrategic location enables it to influence maritime activities crucial to the entire Pacific region.
Speaking to student officers at the National Defence College in Colombo, Admiral Paparo stated: “Sri Lanka’s key position at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean is strategically vital. The island borders crucial sea lanes that connect the Pacific and Indian Oceans with all seas. This geography allows Sri Lanka to influence maritime activities that are essential for the entire Pacific.”
He continued, “The Indo-Pacific is not just vital to our militaries; it is the engine of global prosperity. These waters carry more than half of the world’s trade, and the security environment we shape today will affect future generations.”
He emphasized, “What happens in these oceans isn’t isolated but forms an interconnected security environment across the Pacific and Indian Oceans—and indeed, all seas.”
On the challenges faced, Admiral Paparo remarked: “Nations’ assertive behavior threatens regional stability and international norms, directly impacting the freedom of navigation vital for commerce. We also see increased military cooperation among authoritarian regimes creating strategic challenges that need urgent attention, making strengthening democratic partnerships imperative.”
He highlighted the threat of transnational issues, such as terrorism, weapons proliferation, trafficking, and piracy, which undermine security and prosperity. He also pointed to the technological revolution reshaping maritime security, noting that those who master technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing will shape the future.
“The United States is committed to responsible innovation, while authoritarian regimes pursue capabilities without ethical constraints,” he said. “Today’s battlespace extends beyond traditional domains. Potential adversaries weaponize information, and space-based capabilities are transforming everything from communications to maritime monitoring.”
Admiral Paparo acknowledged Sri Lanka’s significant contributions to international security, from peacekeeping to leadership in Combined Task Force 154 and Operation Prosperity Guardian, which protects freedom of navigation. “Sri Lanka’s leadership exemplifies values and capabilities that make it an essential partner.”
He concluded, “Security isn’t just about hardware or technology; it’s about trusted partnerships based on mutual respect. The partnership between the United States, Sri Lanka, and other like-minded nations—Saudi Arabia, Oman—is crucial. We support our commitments with action, intelligence sharing, joint exercises, military education, and advanced technology partnerships, delivering real security results.”
“Securing these vast waters requires collaboration from all regional partners committed to peace and stability,” he added. “It’s not about choosing sides; it’s about building a region where all nations exercise sovereign rights without intimidation and resolve disputes through dialogue. While the challenges are significant, our collective determination is even greater.”
“We will ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific—not just for ourselves, but for future generations.”
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Iran has sought the Indian intervention, at the highest level, to provide lifesaving support to the crews of empty Iranian vessels stranded just outside Sri Lanka’s 12-nautical mile territorial waters off Galle.
Sources familiar with the issue said that Iran had brought the developing situation to the attention of New Delhi as the crews of almost 20 vessels, included Indian nationals. Sources stressed that the group of vessels that unloaded crude oil a couple of months back were now stranded within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The US Navy torpedoed an unarmed Iran frigate, returning from India, on 04 March, 2026, about 19 nautical miles off the Galle coast. The unprovoked attack killed nearly 100 Iranians.
The Iranian Embassy in Colombo has inquired from the Indian High Commission of their response to the situation, sources said. The US has issued a global warning against providing food, water, medicine and other services to the Iranian vessels. The outcome of Iran-India talks on the issue at hand was not known, though sources asserted India may not throw its weight behind Iranian efforts to address the issue.
Responding to The Island queries, sources said both Sri Lanka and India were in a dilemma due to the US warning. India couldn’t ignore the plight of the Indian crew members and the Iranian vessels in its backyard.
The Sri Lankan government remains tight-lipped about the vessels stranded in its EEZ. Our efforts to elicit a response from relevant authorities were in vain. In addition to Indians, there are Bangladeshis among the crew members. Iran has explicitly stated the responsibilities of the countries concerned to provide assistance in terms of international law.
The Iranian position was articulated by its Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dr.Alireza Delkhosh, recently. In a special statement, Ambassador Delkhosh emphasised that in terms of the Convention on the Law of the Sea (Article 98) as well as SOLAS and SAR
Conventions, Sri Lanka couldn’t refrain from providing the needs of the Iranian vessels stranded in its EEZ.
SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem lambasted the NPP government in Parliament for failing to provide assistance to the Iranian ships. The former Minister alleged that the government was simply carrying out dictates of the US. He strongly criticised the way Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath was handling the issue.
MP Namal Rajapaksa, who is in remand custody over the controversial Airbus deal, was further remanded until October 27 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (13).
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama made the order after considering submissions by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and lawyers representing Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to sustain its recovery over the next two years, although growth is projected to moderate amid mounting global uncertainties, according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest World Economic Outlook.
In its World Economic Outlook 2026: Resilience Under Strain, Urgent Choices, the IMF projects Sri Lanka’s economy to expand by 4% in 2026, slowing to 3.7% in 2027, following estimated growth of 5% in 2025.
Inflation, meanwhile, is forecast to rise to 5.3% in 2026 and 5.4% in 2027, reversing the average deflation rate of 0.5% recorded in 2025.
Unemployment is expected to remain steady at 3.9% throughout the forecast period.
The projections come amid growing pressure on the global economy from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, elevated energy prices, geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions.
Sri Lanka’s external position is also expected to weaken, with the current account balance projected to shift from a surplus of 1.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025 to deficits of 0.5% in 2026 and 0.3% in 2027.
The IMF’s outlook points to continued economic expansion in Sri Lanka, but with slower growth, rising inflation and a narrowing external surplus giving way to current account deficits over the forecast period.
Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central, and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura district.
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