The need to re-establish Sri Lanka’s legacy as a spectacular maritime destination - EDITORIAL

Emerging threats in maritime waters have posed significant challenges to the land-locked as well as littoral states such as Sri Lanka. The smuggling of narcotics, firearms, human and wildlife trafficking, climate change, unmanned weapons and autonomous drones have been identified as some of the emerging threats that hinder maritime security. As a country that fought a thirty-year ethnic conflict, the need to improve its strength in the naval forces had been obvious. But in the post-war context, Sri Lanka is facing an even bigger challenge with its strategic positioning in the Indian Ocean. 

Historical texts indicate how Sri Lanka was once recognised as an important maritime destination, bringing traders from the Arabian Peninsula, Indian Subcontinent, Europe and even China. Sri Lanka’s coastal towns such as Manthai, Godavaya and Gokanna served as important havens for seafarers and centres for trade. The ancient port of Mantai or Mahathiththa was considered a vital seal link and an entrepôt in the Indian Ocean for nearly two millennia. Perhaps the only difference would have been the type of goods that are being traded. While narcotics, firearms and illicit substances have dominated maritime trade routes today, traders of yesteryear were more interested in trading pottery, spices, animals and other goods. 

Sri Lanka already ratified various international conventions to safeguard herself from emerging maritime threats. One such convention is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which was adopted in 1982 and was enforced in 1994. This convention sets a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities under national jurisdictions. But even though a legal framework such as UNCLOS has provided the foundation for a rules-based order for the oceans for over 30 years, it may need to be revisited to respond to emerging threats within the Indian Ocean Region. 

Maritime disasters such as MT New Diamond and MV Xpress Pearl and the aftermath in regards to claiming compensation should be avoided at all costs. While the damage caused to the marine environment is irreversible, obtaining nominal compensation for such hazardous disasters indicates that Sri Lanka is still not strong enough to fight and safeguard her territory. 

Sri Lanka is facing significant challenges to combat the drug war. A former president even pledged to eradicate the drug menace while on a foreign visit to the Philippines. But today, the drug menace has become a socio-economic burden for countries like Sri Lanka. While many of these transactions happen via sea, it is becoming increasingly difficult to tackle these crimes as a country alone. However, new research suggests that while states have powers to investigate crimes committed within their territorial sea or in port, investigation and prosecution of crimes at sea may be important to interrupt trafficking routes and halt shipments of illicit substances (including drugs, weapons, or fish caught in violation of international obligations).

The Sri Lanka Navy continues to apprehend Indian fishermen who engage in bottom trawling in Sri Lankan waters. They navigate the Eastern border, advancing themselves towards environmentally sensitive areas such as Kalpitiya hindering the livelihoods of fisherfolk in the area. In an earlier instance, this paper reported how bottom trawling endangers endemic species such as dugongs which are found in abundance in this area. 

With India on the one hand and neighbouring coastal regions on the other, Sri Lanka today has no option but to play it safe in this balancing act of geopolitics. Allied nations such as China for instance have expressed greater interest in developing the Belt and Road Initiative. India on the other hand has expressed its interest in expanding trade and maritime collaboration in the Indian Ocean Region. A common notion in the maritime domain is that no single country could counter maritime threats on its own. Therefore, greater maritime cooperation is required to resolve and counter shared maritime challenges in the region. After all Sri Lanka needs to level up its efforts to continue its legacy as a breathtaking maritime destination rather than a transit point for transnational crime!