CLASSIFIED | POLITICS | TERRORISM | OPINION | VIEWS

Self reliance on defence

Ben Silva

It is time to stop begging for arms and develop defence equipment ourselves with our own skills.

In view of the recent difficulties Sri Lanka experienced, in obtaining arms to defend itself, it makes perfect sense for Sri Lanka to have its own defence Industry. This view has been expressed by many before. Can we have more opinion on this topic please? The threat to Sri Lanka needs to be converted as an opportunity to develop technology and skills and save money. Further, India itself developed its defence capability so that India would not depend on others. The same logic would be true for Sri Lanka as well. As Dilrook Kannangara indicated in his article, we could team up with China, for joint ventures. I could further suggest Pakistan, Israel, Czech republic, India and so on. Joint ventures would benefit all partners and is the only sustainable means of obtaining defence equipment. A structure needs to be created so that experts in different fields are able to express their views and contribute to the defence of Sri Lanka.

Due to internal and external threats, there is a need for Sri Lanka to immediately start joint ventures in the defence field with friendly countries. Joint ventures are needed to cut the costs down so that defence spending becomes sustainable. Defence spending should support the economy rather than sink the country. There would be benefits in terms of jobs and skills development for Sri Lanka and may even generate money from exports. For the partner country, the benefit is sharing costs. Countries such as China, Pakistan, Israel, USA and Russia could be Sri Lanka’s partners and of course India. But certainly not one country on its own. India and Sri Lanka has cultural links and India has come to our help in the past. It is not in the best interest of India or Sri Lanka to be confrontational. Sri Lanka has no choice and have to find means of defending itself.

At the same time Sri Lanka needs Departments or Universities that will deal with defence studies. Further, think tanks are needed that will assess future external and internal threats and suggest control measures to deal with threats. Merely depending on Politicians to do defence strategy is certainly not wise. We need systems in place to do strategic planning and thinking.

The cost of a single fighter plane could kick start the defence industry. Instead of purchasing things like mines and heavy guns, these could be manufactured locally in joint ventures. Feasibility studies ought be undertaken as the feasibility of manufacturing defence requirements locally as joint ventures. Of course quality, reliability, secrecy and security are extremely important.

Could any readers belonging to IESL or the scientific community bring the article to the notice of the President and the defence establishment.

There is a need to educate the public about the threats to Sri Lanka.

To eliminate internal threats, we need a fairer society where there is opportunity, justice and fair play for all citizens.

Acknowledgements Asoka Seneviratne, Prof. Hudson McLean

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