Unveiling the foreign policy of a future Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) government, SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne has highlighted the importance of maintaining a good relationship with China, India and all key nations that use the Indian Ocean to ensure strategic harmony in the region by promoting security and stability of Sri Lanka.
Speaking in Parliament, MP Wickramaratne said that Sri Lanka is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean which is covered by very big powers in Asia as well as Global superpowers.
“Our foreign policy in that sense is the defence of the State. Therefore it is very important that we get our foreign policy correct. Our economy is dependent on the global markets because it raises the standard of living of Sri Lankans. We have to sell our goods and services to the global market. That is the only way we can raise our living standards because our markets are too small for us to raise our living standards.”
“But we strongly defend our independence. We have to be an independent country and therefore foreign policy is absolutely critical for our defence. When I think back even as Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike elucidated Sri Lankan foreign policy as non-Aligned foreign policy and following it she became the leader of the Non-Aligned Movement. Under the current context the phrase Non- Aligned is out of fashion as the concept does not exist now,” he said.
MP Eran Wickremaratne pointed out that, however, as a country, Sri Lanka’s interests must be prioritised, such as Sri Lanka’s defence, independence and living standards of its people.
“We have to engage with the world not as non- Aligned but as a Multi –Aligned Country which could protect our independence. The country should never provide military bases to any military power. No entry into Treaty-based military alliances. It doesn’t matter which government is in power as we need to be realistic what about our position is. But it should not prevent Sri Lanka from practising a Multi – Aligned foreign policy in line with our national interest of promoting economic and social development and democracy. Joined military exercises especially Naval exercises with all friendly and interoperable nations in the region and beyond must be welcomed as it helps enhance the capacities of our own security forces especially the Navy with the ability to safeguard the country’s security both on land and sea.”
“In addition, Sri Lanka must work with the UN closely to enhance our contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations for the benefit of our own security forces and to enhance the profile of Sri Lanka internationally. At the moment, Sri Lanka’s share of UN peacekeepers is far below our regional peers and it is on the decline after the defeat of the Yahapalana government following the constitutional coup. We focused on this during that period and increased our participation in UN peacekeeping forces but has declined since then. Unless Sri Lanka seriously addresses reconciliation issues and accountability in terms of human rights it is highly unlikely that the situation will change,” he warned.
MP Eran Wickramaratne further said, “The pre-requisite to promote major investment is accountability and transparency is not to be seen under this government. Sri Lanka must return to the ongoing forum of vibrant democracies of the world which are in-fact thriving economies with a view to benefitting with the resultant of social and economic links that will enable raising the standards and well beings of all Sri Lankans.”
“As an Island nation at the centre of the orient Sri Lanka must be close to major powers for mutual benefits but relations each cannot be a zero-sum in relation to another. The US like the EU is our major market and relations with those countries and the UK must be further nurtured taking into account common values and interests like democracy. Respect for human rights and rule of law, and we have to examine why the US and EU major co-operations have no major investments in Sri Lanka. Relations with China as one of the most important commercial partners must be deepened with a view to creating more balance bilateral trade,” he added.
Stating that India is the closest partner nation in all aspects especially economy and security, the SJB MP said that maintaining a steady and deep relationship with India is a sine-quo-non for Sri Lanka’s progress in all its aspects.
“We must work with China, India and all key nations that use the Indian Ocean to ensure strategic harmony in this region promoting security and stability, much needed to ensure sustained economic progress for all nations in the Indian Ocean,” he added. (NewsWire)