Sarath Wijesinghe President’s Counsel, former Ambassador to UAE and Israel, Solicitor in England and Wales, President Ambassador’s Forum UK/SL sarathdw28@gmail.com

Foreign Policy of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a compact and beautiful Island in the powerful Indian Ocean, maintaining friendly relations with the world with the motto on the foreign policy Friendly with all and angry with none, which is a very useful and productive policy to be a recognized and reputed member of the world family consisting of all nations bonded by the United Nations formed for the unity, security, and maintain friendly relations in managing international affairs. She is a senior member of the United Nations which is the recognized and legal institution to represent the world on the basis of the International Convention it is formed on accepted to all nations on the Globe. China and India, a are economic and political giant’s in Asia, as leaders in the world on many areas and aspects as against the western powers equally powerful in the UN and in world affairs.

Foreign policy bonds with India China and India

Bonds of Sri Lankan relations with India and China are historical, long and important on political economic, cultures, and foreign policy aspects. India named Sri Lanka as one of the Perls in the chain of Perls, and maintained relations with Sri Lanka in history of all ages inducing the Rama Ravana epic than some say goes back to 15000 years and some schools’ era of ‘’Gauthama Buddha’’ era when ‘’King Dharamasoka’’ of India spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka and world over. Friendship of King Asoka of India and King ‘’Devenampiyatiss’’ of Sri Lanka is a testimony of the foreign relations between the two uneven but friendly nations, that led to the new Buddhist culture to Sri Lanka powerful to date, Sri Lanka being the country with the longest history on Theravada Buddhism which is one of the largest religions spreading in Europe with no influence of compulsion. ‘’Fahian visite’’ Sri Lanka in 410 AD on a religious mission with the approval of the Governance and visit led to close relations on economic, trade and religion as a landmark of China Sri Lanka relations, As Arath Mahinda’s visit on 3^rd BCE which are of great significance update. Dispute the unpleasant happenings based on the Indo Sri Lanka Accord and the background on the 26-year war, Sri Lanka India elations continue with visits of state leaders indicating the continuity of the bods between the leader and the nation’s which is on the positive directions on religious, political and economic interactions that improves the friendly relations of two friendly nations. It is not merely the need but a mandatary requirement for Sri Lanka to maintain close relations and friendship when both great and giant nations are becoming most popular economically and politically powerful with mutual respect and benefit all three nations. China still fondly remembers the support given by Sri Lanka in 1950, when there was stiff resistance from the West on the admission of the China to the UN and India is expecting the help from Sri Lanka for a position in the Security Council for which she is amply suited. Yet the international political and economic situation is complicated and varies especially due to strategics situation of the geographical situation and also influence to Sri Lanka from other world powers for access to the India Oceal which is a perfume and a strategic aera. In the back drop and background of the current situation Sri Lankan President’s Visit to both India and China is of great significance and importance due to the clear and overwhelming power vested on AKD and the government who they are aware is with a clear mandate in making decisions. The consolation for President AKD is the victory in North and East over ethnic parties’ demand in separatism with tacit nod from India agitating for the full implementation of the controversial 13 th amendment to the Constitution, India may not be able to hold on. China has no demands except for friendly relations mainly based on ecumenic and cult ureal aspects expecting Sri Lanka to help them in the international arena with the competition with world powers and threat from small but economically sound ‘’Thaiwan’’ with certain political demands.

Foreign Policy and the Ministry expected to support and guide the president

Guide, support and advice is of paramount importance taking ‘’Madam Bandraneika’s’’ team and policies in 1960 for example as a successful era on foreign policy and a powerful foreign ministry in action, on positive directions. Today it is doubtful whether the Ministry of foreign affairs maintain some standards to assist the nation and the leader, and it is timey the President takes the assistance academics and experts in Sri Lanka and abroad willing to help the new changes that are being implemented I all other sectors. Media is duty bound to help the implementation of the foreign policy while formulation a Sri Lanka friendly foreign policy for the future generation.

Significance and importance of the visit to both China and India

No country or a citizen could live in isolation today as life of an individual and a nation is so interconnected and intervwoven   with the rest of the world via advance communications that will connect each other with a click of a button when is fast changing on the door step of the digital and AI age, where a slight mistake and wrong move would make a drastic difference locally or internationally and a leader of a nation walking on the rope will have to be extra cautious with a battery of proper advisors and a group in sailing the ship in the right direction, and we wish an hope President AKD has taken necessary precautions, research and with proper guidance and advice.

Book launch on foreign policy by Ambassador’s forum edited by author on Ceylon today 9-12-2022/ 13-3-2021-FT- foreign policy within and outside/ foreign Policy is it productive and effective? 16-8-Colombo Telegraph/ SL needs a unique foreign policy 3-12-24/ anther could be contacted on sarathdw28@gmail.com/