Outgoing US Ambassador tells Lanka to train its citizens to ensure peace through strength

Outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung has stated that Sri Lanka needs to train its citizens not only for the jobs of the future, but also for the military of the future, to ensure it can maintain peace through strength.

Addressing the faculty and students at the National Defence College, Diner’s Club, in Colombo, recently, the Ambassador said: “I want to emphasize the critical links between prosperity and strength, and the connection between economic security and national security. Economic security is not just about prosperity – it is intrinsically linked to national sovereignty. A strong economy empowers a nation to make independent decisions, free from undue external influence. This is particularly crucial for Sri Lanka, given its strategic location and the economic opportunities and security risks associated with its maritime domain, including sitting on the sea lanes transporting 2/3 of the world’s oil. Sri Lanka’s ability to service and protect these shipping lanes is an economic opportunity, but it is also a national and regional security challenge, with regional competitors seeking their own advantages. As Sri Lanka’s economy strengthens, it will be better equipped to independently navigate these sensitive geopolitical waters.

“In recent years, Sri Lanka has seen these risks clearly. In the lead-up to the 2022 economic crisis, Sri Lanka found itself in a precarious position. Faced with mounting fiscal pressures and sustained public protests, the Sri Lankan government sought debt relief from creditor countries. This decision to bilaterally negotiate debt outside an IMF programme would ultimately be insufficient to avoid a default and opened the door for some nations to press Sri Lanka for political concessions while also leaving Sri Lanka vulnerable to economic coercion. Economic vulnerability can give foreign powers leverage over national decisions, impacting not just on the economy but the very fabric of national security.

“During my three years in Sri Lanka, I’ve seen a remarkable turnaround in the country’s economy, but the journey is far from over. A quarter of Sri Lankans are still living in poverty. Sri Lanka still depends on a handful of industries for most of its foreign currency and most of its growth. Inefficient state-owned enterprises burden the economy while red tape and opaque regulations hamper foreign investment. Now that the economy has stabilised, long-needed structural reforms are the necessary next step to ensure Sri Lanka gets on a long-term growth path. Sri Lanka needs to train its citizens not only for the jobs of the future, but also for the military of the future, to ensure it can maintain peace through strength.

“The Indo-Pacific region remains one of the most politically dynamic and economically influential areas in the world. As an island maritime nation, Sri Lanka’s economic security and national security are directly tied to the maritime domain. Because of this, we all have a stake in keeping an open, free, and peaceful Indo-Pacific.

“Sri Lanka’s commitment to this goal strengthens its security framework, aligning with global standards and practices. Given its critical location in the Indian Ocean, maritime domain awareness is essential to ensuring our trade routes in the region remain secure and unhindered. These routes are the lifeblood of Sri Lanka’s economy, and by safeguarding them, Sri Lanka is safeguarding its future,” she said.