ABSTRACT
This chapter examines Sri Lanka as part of this volume's focus on the Blue Security concept of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. In keeping with the book's analytical framework, the chapter examines Sri Lanka's views of its key maritime interests and priorities; the strategy and approaches that Sri Lanka has adopted to defend its maritime interests; and gaps in Sri Lanka's approaches. Maritime affairs have generally increased in importance for Sri Lanka's policymakers, who have greater recognition that Colombo needs to improve its positioning in this domain. While the chapter closes with recommendations to address identified gaps to improve Sri Lanka's maritime capacity and advance regional security, the government confronts the requirement to address the greatest economic crisis in the country's history—and with no end in sight for most citizens who must endure austerity measures. How policymakers will balance Sri Lanka's imperatives for economic recovery with the country's maritime domain interests and needs remains unclear at present.
