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Experts at third LKI Foreign Policy Forum call for pragmatic reassessment of non-alignment in a shifting global landscape

Published

2 years ago

2024/03/2

While the need to re-orient non-alignment to meet the changing global dynamics was regularly spoken of, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries have failed to offer a cohesive strategic response and re-orientation, Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI) Executive Director Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha said at the third LKI Foreign Policy Forum, titled ‘Reassessing Non-Alignment in a Polarised World,’ that was held recently in Colombo.

The forum, held on a quarterly basis, brings together experts to discuss contemporary foreign policy issues and to contribute to the development of a Sri Lankan perspective on foreign policy and international relations. Ahead of the Forum, Foreign Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry, who delivered the opening address, observed that “non-alignment means not becoming a bystander” and “that you are not forced or coerced into a camp to take sovereign decisions”.

Moderating the session which featured four prominent experts in the field, LKI Executive Director Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, at the outset, emphasized the importance of understanding both – the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) as an organization, and ‘non-alignment’ as a concept and foreign policy strategy.

He noted that for Sri Lanka, as it was to many member countries between the 1960s -1980s, NAM enabled the conceptualization/operationalization of important initiatives relevant to its membership, including the Indian Ocean Peace Zone, the Law of the Sea, a New International Economic Order, a New International Information Order and a developing country emphasis on global disarmament – many in which Sri Lanka was to play a prominent role. However, since the ending of the Cold War, non-alignment was to lose its influence in global affairs due to the diverse interests and alignments of its member states.

In recent times while the need to re-orient non-alignment to meet the changing global dynamics was regularly spoken of, NAM countries have failed to offer a cohesive strategic response and re-orientation, he observed.

Amb. Aryasinha suggested that while the voting patterns of NAM countries in the UN General Assembly during recent crises – particularly on Ukraine and the Gaza – provided an barometer to judge as to how non-aligned states were responding to issues in real-time, what the ingredients of a re-oriented non-aligned policy, however, required closer study.

The Executive Director of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) Prof. Gamini Keerawella, who focussed on the evolution of the NAM, noted that it had three distinct phases where emphasis was on; first de-colonization, second on meeting the cold war challenges, and third in grappling with post-cold war dynamics. He cautioned against analysing Sri Lanka’s foreign policy in the early period, solely through the lens of non-alignment, referring to examples such as that Prime Minister D.S Senanayake’s neutrality was complemented by a defence agreement with the UK, and Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s non-aligned approach with permission for U.S vessels to access Sri Lankan ports. He emphasised that the disintegration of the Soviet Union did not necessarily mean a win for the U.S, and that emerging challenges have required a re-definition of foreign policy in non-aligned nations.

He cautioned that current Sri Lanka foreign policy, too, should not be analysed solely in terms of non-alignment, but must additionally take into account; the domestic, South Asian (mainly India related), Indian Ocean Region, and global contexts, as well.

Former Foreign Secretary and Chairman of the Pathfinder Foundation Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke referred to the emergence of multi-polarity on the international stage and the current outlook of the global economy where in the next decade, China, the U.S and India will be the three largest economies. He said countries like Sri Lanka cannot rely on the benevolence of these global economic powers and non-aligned countries must establish their own leverage for economic gain. He explained that it requires non-aligned foreign policy to be fine–tuned, and for the 120-strong Non-Aligned Movement to re-group and re-invent itself, rather than being passive.

He observed that in the case of Sri Lanka, while President Gotabaya Rajapaksa embraced neutrality and publicly declared this position at the inauguration ceremony in Anuradhapura in 2019, beyond expressing this intent, there had been limited follow up. Five years on, he argued that we must assume that Sri Lanka is continuing to pursue this position of neutrality and non-alignment. Amb. Goonetilleke highlighted how nations have shifted alliances based on their perceived self-interests without knowing the long-term consequences of such decisions. He reiterated the need for Sri Lanka to prioritise domestic interests and to ensure that a comprehensive foreign policy serves to empower the nation amidst shifting global dynamics.

Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), questioned “what non-alignment means in the modern day and what are you non-aligning against”. He challenged traditional notions of non-alignment, advocating for a more nuanced understanding in today’s geopolitical context. Rather than rigid ideological stances, he questioned whether pragmatic decision-making, such as voting based on self-interest, could be considered a form of non-alignment, citing Singapore’s foreign policy approach as a convincing example.

He also said NAM does not offer resolutions on challenges that arise from non-western interventions. As the balance of power is shifting towards China and India, Sri Lanka must assess its foreign policy based on what it can gain from engaging with the rest of the world, rather than basing it on the moral authority of non-alignment, which he argued no longer exists. Specifically regarding economic prosperity, he emphasised the need for Sri Lanka to pursue advancement through aligning with those countries that bring the greatest economic benefits, rather than sacrificing economic leverage, through adopting a non-aligned foreign policy.

Chief International Relations Analyst, Factum, Uditha Devapriya saw pragmatism as increasingly having come to define non-alignment, resulting in some contradictions and ambiguities even with respect to Sri Lanka. Observing that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy decisions omit valuable perspectives from the grassroots level, he said while southern perspectives place emphasis on engaging with bilateral partners, northern perspectives consider foreign policy to be a secondary concern behind the prioritisation of Tamil rights and recognition.

He further elaborated that the Sri Lankan people on the ground were deeply suspicious of being given aid with strings attached. He advocated for a proactive foreign policy strategy that takes consistent decisions that align with past policies, and has credibility both domestically and internationally. He urged that public opinion should influence these decisions and experts must engage more with policymakers so that decisions are sustainable and address broader challenges in the Global South.

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Police step up crackdown on organised crime after securing 95 Interpol Red Notices

Published

3 mins ago

2026/01/17

Thilina Walpola

Police personnel accompanying a female suspect brought to Colombo yesterday

Police have stepped up their crackdown on organised crime, after securing Interpol Red Notices for 95 suspects believed to be hiding overseas.

Police Spokesman SSP F. U. Wootler told a media briefing yesterday that the move marked a major escalation in efforts to track down and extradite high-profile figures linked to organised crime syndicates and online fraud networks.

He said the strategy was already producing results. In 2024, Sri Lanka secured the return of 10 suspects through Interpol channels, while a further 11 were extradited in 2025 to face legal proceedings.

In addition to Red Notices, authorities have relied on formal legal mechanisms to overcome jurisdictional barriers. “During the 2024–2025 period, 21 suspects were extradited under the Extradition Act,” SSP Wootler said.

The briefing coincided with three more fugitives being escorted back to Sri Lanka yesterday following the issuance of Interpol Red Notices.

SSP Wootler said many of the fugitives had continued to coordinate criminal activities here from abroad, including sophisticated online scams, underscoring the importance of international cooperation.

Two male suspects, for whom Red Notices had been issued and who were overseas, and a female suspect wanted in connection with defrauding state funds, were flown back.

Following their arrival yesterday morning at Katunayake Airport, they were taken into custody by a team of officers from the CID.

The arrested suspects are residents of Kandana and Uragasmanhandiya, aged 30 and 52, respectively. The female suspect is a 56-year-old resident of Mount Lavinia.

The suspect residing in Kandana is an individual wanted in connection with an attempted murder. It has been revealed that while overseas, he is connected to a range of crimes, including orchestrating a shooting incident that resulted in a homicide in the Kandana area on 2025.07.03. This suspect has been handed over to the Officer-in-Charge of the Kelaniya Division for further investigations.

The one hailing from Uragasmanhandiya is a suspect wanted in connection with carrying out homicides using sharp weapons and being involved in a series of organised crimes in the Uragasmanhandiya area. This suspect has been handed over to the Officer-in-Charge of the Elpitiya Division for further investigations.

The female suspect, residing in Mount Lavinia, who is reported to have worked at an Embassy in 2014, is an accused in a case where the Criminal Investigations Department is investigating the defrauding of state funds. She has been sentenced to imprisonment, fines, and also ordered to compensate victims by the Colombo High Court.

“These operations were carried out with the strong support of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, including Abu Dhabi International Police, Dubai Police, as well as Sri Lankan diplomatic missions,” he said.

Interpol Red Notices function as international alerts requesting law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest individuals pending extradition.

Wootler said efforts would continue to identify and pursue suspects operating from foreign jurisdictions, particularly those involved in organised and cyber-related crimes posing threats to national security.

By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu

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Julie’s exit gladdens Udaya’s heart

Published

4 mins ago

2026/01/17

Thilina Walpola

Gammanpila eating milk rice during yesterday’s press conference to celebrate Ambassador Chung’s departure

Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), Udaya Gammanpila, yesterday launched a scathing attack on outgoing United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, accusing her of interfering in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs and exerting undue influence over recent political developments.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, Gammanpila said Chung’s departure, after a four-year tenure, marked a “day of national relief,” claiming her presence had been harmful to the country.

He said patriots marked the occasion by sharing kiribath (milk rice), which he described as a symbolic celebration.

Gammanpila alleged that Ambassador Chung had remained in Sri Lanka longer than the customary three-year diplomatic term because of, what he described as, her success in bringing the country under American influence. Drawing comparisons with past foreign diplomats, he claimed that Chung was the most influential envoy since Indian High Commissioner J.N. Dixit in the 1980s. He alleged that successive Sri Lankan governments had failed to challenge what he described as interference by the envoy.

The PHU leader accused Chung of playing a behind-the-scenes role in the 2022 protest movement, commonly known as the Aragalaya, claiming it was orchestrated to destabilise the country. He alleged that young protesters were unknowingly “acting out a foreign script” under the guise of patriotism.

Gammanpila also alleged that Chung played a key role in elevating the National People’s Power (NPP), which he referred to as the “Malimawa” movement, into a governing force in 2024. He claimed the movement had been transformed from its earlier ideological roots into, what he described as, a pro-Western political project, asserting that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had come to power with foreign backing. He cited a photograph shared on Chung’s social media account of her visit to the NPP headquarters as evidence of what he termed political proximity.

According to Gammanpila, Ambassador Chung’s public criticism of governance issues sharply declined following the change of government. He alleged that while she had frequently commented on incidents under previous administrations, she had remained silent on alleged corruption and governance failures over the past 14 months.

Turning to the future, Gammanpila urged caution regarding the incoming US Ambassador, Eric Meyer, stating that any engagement on religious or cultural matters should be viewed carefully. He called on President Dissanayake to pursue an independent foreign policy, free of external influence.

Gammanpila also criticised the government over, what he described as, repeated “policy blunders,” particularly in relation to issues affecting children and social values. He cited several instances, including proposals to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for same-sex couples, educational material controversies, and a recent People’s Bank advertisement that he claimed subtly promoted same-sex symbolism. While stating that he held no animosity towards the LGBTQ community, Gammanpila said he opposed, what he described as, attempts to influence children through state institutions.

In addition, the PHU leader condemned legal action taken by the Coast Conservation Department against nine individuals, including four Buddhist monks, for installing a Buddha statue within a coastal conservation zone in Trincomalee. He described the arrests as discriminatory, alleging that similar structures belonging to other religions and commercial entities had been overlooked.

Calling the current administration “anti-Buddhist,” Gammanpila urged authorities to apply the law equally and not just in words, and “not to turn legal frameworks into instruments against Buddhism.” He also accused members of the government of ingratitude, alleging that many had once sought refuge in temples during periods of political violence.

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage

News

IMF fact-finding mission to visit Lanka from 22–28 Jan.

Published

5 mins ago

2026/01/17

Thilina Walpola

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has decided to send a fact-finding mission to Sri Lanka, from 22 to 28 January, to assess the damage caused by the recent Cyclone Ditwah.

The Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, Julie Kozack, also stated that the team will discuss related policy implications under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.

She also underscored that this is a fact-finding mission aimed at enabling the team to gain a clearer understanding of the situation on the ground.