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.