The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) and the UK based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) engaged in a Track 1.5 virtual dialogue to examine the current status of Sri Lanka-United Kingdom relations. The virtual dialogue was conducted under the Chatham House rules and included a presentation each by a speaker from the UK and Sri Lanka under each topic, followed by a Q & A session.

The dialogue broadly looked at three focused areas. Session 1 on Maritime Security Cooperation was Chaired by Dr. Rahul Roy Choudhury with Nick Childs and Rohan Gunaratna presenting on behalf of the UK and Sri Lanka respectively. Session 2 on China-Sri Lanka Economic Cooperation included H.M.G.S. Palihakkara as the Chair and Ganeshan Wignaraja and Sir Hugo Swire as the speakers. Kshenuka Seneviratne Chaired Session 3 on The Way Ahead for UK – SL relations, whilst the speakers were Indrajit Coomaraswamy and Stephen Evans. The Keynote Session was chaired by Desmond Bowen, Associate Fellow, IISS and former Director General of International Policy at the Ministry of Defence in the UK. The Keynote remarks were made by Admiral (Retd.) Prof. Jayanath Colombage, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary.  

At the start of his keynote address, the Foreign Secretary said that his views were his personal, highlighted his close relations with the British High Commission in Colombo and that the two countries were engaged in close bilateral relations on many spheres. He observed that the economic relations between the two countries were of paramount importance to Sri Lanka at a time when the present pandemic had an adverse impact on the island’s economy.

Leading on to the post Brexit phase, the Foreign Secretary mentioned that Sri Lanka was looking forward to enhancing its trade with the UK as one of its large export markets. In addition, tourism from the UK represented a large segment, which brought in much needed foreign exchange, which has come to a standstill due to the adverse pandemic situation. However, he was positive of the success of the country’s inoculation programme against Covid-19, which he believed would result in a more conducive environment for trade and tourism.

With regard to the importance of a strategic dialogue, Foreign Secretary highlighted the ongoing strategic competition in the Indian Ocean, which despite Covid constraints, continued unabated. Speaking of the ongoing global power struggle, he said Sri Lanka’s response was to follow a foreign policy of neutrality whilst remaining non-aligned.

He finally spoke on the human rights issue, where the UK had played a key role heading the Contact Group on Sri Lanka in the United Nations Human Rights Council. He stressed that it was time, the UK recognized the steady, tangible progress being made by Sri Lanka in this respect. As a founding member of the Commonwealth, Sri Lanka considered the UK to be an important partner and requested the UK to lend its support to Sri Lanka.

Adopting a similar position in his concluding remarks, the State Minister for Regional Cooperation, Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya observed that perception matters in geopolitics, where ill-informed narratives take precedence and it was important to change such perceptions. Focusing on relations between the two countries, he stressed that economic cooperation was most important, whilst there were certain existentialist issues, such as climate change that need addressing.

He also spoke of the contentious issue of human rights, stressing that Sri Lanka always strived for good governance, not just due to the pressure of the international community but as it was a priority in any civilized society. With regard to economic cooperation, the Minister pointed out another false narrative that Sri Lanka favoured China. He clarified that most of the Chinese companies being state owned, tend to be more competitive, when compared to others. Post-Covid cooperation, the Minster stated, had tremendous potential in areas such as ICT and the health sectors, highlighting that the Government of Sri Lanka has been in touch with its British counterparts in this regard. He also mentioned that a Preferential Trade Agreement will be beneficial to both countries.

Finally, the Minister observed that both the UK and Sri Lanka should reciprocate each other’s support in order to gain the most from the long-standing relationship and respect different values of sovereign states. The UK has been a great friend to Sri Lanka, which, over the years, has considered the former as an example for democracy and best practices. Thus, having a strategic partnership in the future will be beneficial to both SL and the UK, he concluded.

Taking into consideration historical relations and the lead role played by the UK with regard to the recent resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on Sri Lanka, the two institutions thought that it would be a good idea to have an interaction covering all aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries, so that the two sides will have a better appreciation and understanding of each other’s priorities and concerns. 

Approximately 20 participants each from Sri Lanka and the UK, including representatives of the House of Lords, House of Commons, members of Parliament, government officials, experts, academics, senior media personnel etc. participated in the virtual dialogue.  Among the parliamentarians from Sri Lanka, in addition to the Minister of State for Regional Cooperation Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya; Hon. Eran Wickramaratne and former minister Faiszer Musthapha attended the dialogue, while the participants of the UK comprised of Lord Birt, Crossbench Peer; Lord Sheikh, Lord Marland and Mark Logan MP, Vice Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group on Sri Lanka.