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Shavendra tells Beijing meet Sri Lanka should not become an arena for geopolitical rivalry among major powers

Published

4 weeks ago

2026/06/2

Shavendra Silva

Former Commander of Sri Lanka Army with possibly the best battlefield record, having recovered the most amount of enemy occupied territory by troops he led from the front in the Vanni theatre of operations (2007-2009), General Shavendra Silva recently discussed growing challenges faced by smaller countries, like Sri Lanka, in what he called the evolving global environment.

Stressing that responsibilities must be shared across all states, the former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army told the 5th edition of the Wanshou Dialogue on Global Security in Beijing: “Major powers bear a special responsibility to exercise strategic restraint, avoid coercive practices, uphold international law, and contribute toward global stability rather than fragmentation.

Emerging and middle powers have an increasingly important role as bridge builders promoting dialogue, cooperation, and institutional reform.

For countries such as Sri Lanka, the path forward lies in principled and balanced diplomacy.

This requires maintaining constructive relations with all nations while safeguarding sovereignty, strategic independence, and national interests.

Sri Lanka has consistently maintained that its territory should not become an arena for geopolitical rivalry or military confrontation among larger powers.

Instead, our focus remains on strengthening national resilience through economic development, institutional stability, maritime awareness, modern defence capabilities, and agile diplomacy.

Credible domestic institutions, accountable governance, and national cohesion ultimately strengthen sovereignty while reducing opportunities for external interference.”

Referring to his service as Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in New York, General Silva said that his engagements at the UN and other international forums reinforced the importance of defending national interests while remaining committed to reconciliation, development, and peaceful coexistence.

The celebrated battlefield commander discussed the transformation of global security, the future direction of the international order and the responsibilities of states in this transitional era. Silva said: “Today, security threats extend far beyond conventional warfare.

Cyber threats, terrorism, disinformation, economic coercion, artificial intelligence, and the weaponisation of technology increasingly influence global stability. At the same time, climate change, pandemics, food insecurity, and economic disruptions have demonstrated how closely national security and human security are now interconnected.

For Sri Lanka, located at the centre of the Indian Ocean along one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, these developments carry direct strategic significance. Sri Lanka’s own experience offers valuable lessons.

The defeat of the LTTE, in 2009 demonstrated the importance of decisive state action against terrorism, while also revealing how modern conflicts become internationalised through financing networks, propaganda, illicit arms flows, and external geopolitical pressures.

The post-conflict period further reinforced the importance of reconciliation, economic recovery, institutional rebuilding, and long-term national resilience.

Smaller states increasingly face pressures arising from great-power rivalry, economic dependency, and strategic competition.

Sri Lanka has, therefore, consistently sought to maintain strategic balance while safeguarding sovereignty and constructive engagement with all partners.

China has remained an important development and economic partner for Sri Lanka over many decades. The relationship, strengthened through the 1952 Rubber-Rice Pact, expanded significantly in the post-war period through cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, logistics, energy, and economic recovery. Projects associated with the Belt and Road Initiative have contributed to Sri Lanka’s development, regional connectivity, and post-crisis resilience. China also extended support during the COVID-19 pandemic and Sri Lanka’s recent economic stabilisation efforts.

The future international order must be shaped not by confrontation or exclusive blocs, but through pragmatic cooperation, institutional reform, and balanced multilateral engagement.

International institutions, particularly the United Nations system, must evolve to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities and the growing voice of the Global South.

Without greater inclusivity and legitimacy, multilateral institutions risk losing effectiveness in addressing increasingly complex global challenges.

Equally important is preserving a rules based maritime order grounded in international law, particularly the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The international community must also establish clearer norms governing emerging technologies, cyber operations, artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons systems, and outer space security.

Sri Lanka’s recent economic stabilisation efforts further demonstrated that internal resilience is essential for maintaining strategic autonomy and an independent foreign policy.

It is also an opportunity to build a more inclusive, balanced, and resilient international order capable of responding to the realities of the 21st century.

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LAWASIA warns against ad hoc initiative to increase judges’ retirement ages

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/29

Thilina Walpola

T.L Yap

The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific (LAWASIA) has backed the campaign by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka against the government’s effort’s to extend the retirement ages of judges of the Superior Courts.

T.L Yap, President of LAWASIA, in a statement dated 26 June, has expressed concern over the NPP government’s move in the wake of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent statement in Parliament on the delay in making the appointments.

The text of the statement: “LAWASIA shares the concern expressed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) on 25th May 2026 in a letter to His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka regarding the prospect of the Government of Sri Lanka introducing an amendment to the Constitution which would increase the retirement age of the Judges of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

LAWASIA supports the sentiments expressed by BASL in its letter of 25 May, namely: “Extending the retirement age of the sitting Judges of these Courts at this point of time is likely to be viewed by the public as a blatant attempt to interfere with the judiciary… The independence of the Judiciary and the public confidence reposed in it, are indispensable pillars of the rule of law and the democratic framework of (Sri Lanka).

In that regard it is of paramount importance that the Judiciary must not only remain independent in fact but also must be seen by the public to be wholly independent, impartial, and free from even the slightest perception of influence, favour, accommodation, or impropriety”

The Constitution of Sri Lanka recognizes the independence of the judiciary and its importance in preserving and maintaining the rule of law. The retirement age of senior judges is presently fixed by Article 107(5) of the Constitution. Constitutional amendment in any jurisdiction is a serious matter which must not be undertaken lightly. LAWASIA’s principal concern is that the proposed constitutional amendment has the appearance of an ad hoc initiative without adequate public consultation. This in turn has the potential to undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

An independent, competent and respected judiciary is the cornerstone of any democracy. LAWASIA has long advocated the fundamental importance of this principle.

The essence of LAWASIA’s formal position in relation to the independence of the judiciary lies in the Beijing Statement of Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary in the LAWASIA Region, adopted at the Conference of Chief Justices held in Beijing in 1997 and subsequently signed by 32 Chief Justices from across the Asia-Pacific.

The Beijing Statement in essence emphasizes the fundamental importance of the independence of the judiciary, and comments on a range of related issues including the objectives of the judiciary, the appointment of judges, the tenure of judges, judicial conditions and the relationship between the judiciary and the executive.

Endorsing the concerns raised by another international organization, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, LAWASIA accordingly calls upon the authorities in Sri Lanka to:

• refrain from proceeding with the proposed constitutional amendments seeking to increase the

retirement age of members of the Judiciary;

• resist piecemeal and ad hoc amendments to the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

• adhere to due process of consultation and stakeholder engagement in constitutional reform;

• desist from taking any steps which would undermine confidence in the Judiciary and

irreparably diminish the independence of the judiciary; and

• ensure adherence to the rule of law and respect for the independence of the judiciary.

News

Countrywide drug bust:7, 300 youths arrested

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/29

Thilina Walpola

A total of 7,300 young people, below the age of 21, had been arrested on suspicion since the launch of the nationwide ‘Ratama Ekata’ anti-drug operation, DIG in charge of the Police Narcotics Bureau, Ashoka Dharmasena, told The Island yesterday.

DIG Dharmasena said the suspects included about 150 females under the age of 21. He added that more than 214,000 suspects had been taken into custody since the commencement of the national anti-narcotics operation.

The operation was launched with the primary objectives of disrupting the supply of narcotics across the country, reducing the demand for illegal drugs and rehabilitating those addicted to narcotic substances, he said.

DIG Dharmasena said law enforcement authorities had so far seized more than 15,000 kilogrammes of narcotics, including cannabis, during the ongoing operation.

He also noted that police had achieved considerable success in intercepting narcotics smuggled into the country by sea, contributing significantly to efforts to curb the illicit drug trade.

The Police Narcotics Bureau said the nationwide operation would continue as part of the government’s broader strategy to dismantle drug trafficking networks and minimise the social impact of narcotics.

by Norman Palihawadane ✍️

News

ANP leader further remanded

Published

2 hours ago

2026/06/29

Thilina Walpola

Leader of the Abhinava Nivahal Peramuna, Amit Weerasinghe, was yesterday ordered to be remanded until July 3 by Teldeniya Magistrate Kamal Sanjaya Jayatilake over allegations that he defrauded state officials and businessmen of approximately Rs. 120 million by promising to construct cabana holiday resorts in Ella and Digana.

The suspect was produced before court by the Teldeniya Police Headquarters following his re-arrest on fresh complaints. The Magistrate also ordered an investigation into the suspect’s assets and properties, imposed a travel ban, and directed authorities to freeze his bank accounts.

The Teldeniya Police informed the Magistrate that 26 complaints had been received against the suspect so far and that investigations had revealed a large-scale financial fraud.The Magistrate further directed the police to hand over investigations into the alleged fraud to the CID in Colombo by the next court date.

Weerasinghe had previously been granted bail by court but was arrested again following the receipt of additional complaints.

Investigations are being conducted by Teldeniya Police Headquarters OIC CI D. M. Chandrapala and Teldeniya Division SSP Harsha Amarasinghe under the supervision of Central Province Senior DIG Lalith Pathinayake and DIG Sudath Masinghe.

by SK Samaranayake ✍️