September 25, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has emphasised the critical importance of international cooperation in addressing escalating security threats in the Indian Ocean, particularly the rise in maritime drug trafficking.
Her remarks were delivered during the opening of the 12th International Maritime Conference – Galle Dialogue 2025 – held at the Navy’s Wave and Lake Banquet Hall in Welisara.
Addressing a gathering of defence officials, diplomats, and maritime experts from across the globe, the Prime Minister underscored that the Indian Ocean is not only a key artery for international trade and energy flows, but also a crucial lifeline for the economic and social well-being of millions across the region. She noted, however, that with its strategic significance comes a host of mounting challenges.
“The Indian Ocean continues to witness increasing pressures—from shifting geopolitical dynamics and environmental degradation to illicit trafficking and unregulated migration. These are issues that no single country can confront in isolation,” she said.
Dr Amarasuriya pointed to Sri Lanka’s unique position at the heart of the Indian Ocean maritime corridor as both a responsibility and an opportunity. She stressed the need for Sri Lanka to play a proactive role in preserving the region’s peace, stability, and ecological balance.
She expressed particular concern over the proliferation of transnational organised crime at sea, especially the movement of narcotics, which she described as a growing menace to regional security and social stability.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed her government’s commitment to combating maritime drug smuggling, highlighting recent successes by the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard in intercepting illicit shipments through coordinated patrols and targeted intelligence operations.
Reflecting the seriousness of the government’s intent, she announced that Rs. 92.5 billion has been allocated to the Navy under the 2025 Defence Budget — a 12 per cent increase from the previous year. The funding boost, she explained, will enhance surveillance capabilities, expand patrol coverage, and improve maritime domain awareness.
However, she was clear that national efforts alone will not suffice. “Sri Lanka cannot – and should not – attempt to shoulder these burdens on its own. Maritime threats are borderless, and so must be our responses,” she said, calling on regional and international partners to deepen collaboration.
Dr Amarasuriya advocated for robust coordination between naval forces, maritime industries, regulatory bodies, and civil society. She emphasised that upholding the rule of international maritime law and fostering trust between nations were essential to ensuring open and secure sea lanes.
“We must move beyond competition and into cooperation if we are to transform the Indian Ocean into a region defined not by conflict, but by peace, opportunity, and shared prosperity,” she concluded.
The Galle Dialogue, hosted annually by the Sri Lanka Navy, has evolved into a key forum for global maritime discourse, with the 2025 edition attracting record participation amidst growing concerns over maritime governance in an increasingly contested oceanic space.
