“Empowered Sri Lanka Is in Australia’s National Interest” - Richard Marles

COLOMBO (News 1st): Regional security and the stability of the Indian Ocean are at the forefront of Australia’s strategic agenda, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka.

Marles emphasized that Australia and Sri Lanka share a vital interest in maintaining a secure and rules-based maritime environment, particularly in the northeastern Indian Ocean—a region he described as “profoundly strategically important” to Australia’s national interest.

“An empowered and enabled Sri Lanka is in Australia's national interest,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.

He stressed that both countries benefit from a clear and enforceable rules-based order in the region. “When the rules of the road are clear, that works in the interests of countries of our size. A rules-based order gives agency to middle powers and smaller countries. A world based solely on power and might is a world where we lose agency,” he said.

Marles described the current moment as an opportunity—not an obligation—for Australia and Sri Lanka to strengthen their partnership. “There’s no expectation. What it is, is an opportunity for us to be closer together, to do more, to share more,” he said.

One key area of collaboration is maritime domain awareness. “We both have an interest in achieving the greatest maritime domain awareness. By cooperating, we can achieve a shared awareness that is far greater than what we could accomplish individually,” he added.

Beyond defence, Marles highlighted the strong cultural and people-to-people ties that underpin the bilateral relationship. “We share passions—cricket first and foremost—and we estimate that around 180,000 Sri Lankans now call Australia home,” he said. “That diaspora is a bridge that strengthens our economic and bilateral engagement.”

He also pointed to growing tourism, increased direct flights, and academic collaboration, with 30 Australian universities now engaged in Sri Lanka and around 19,000 Sri Lankan students studying in Australia.

“We are neighbours. We share an ocean. And in an uncertain and volatile world, it makes sense to double down with friends. It makes sense to double down with family,” Marles added.