'Strict International Law Is Our Shield' - Sri Lanka FM Urges Regional Cooperation on Climate, Maritime Security, and Blue Economy

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka places strict adherence to international law at the centre of its foreign policy, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said, emphasising that the country’s credibility and resilience depend on upholding global legal frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Speaking at the ORF Raisina Dialogue in India, Minister Herath said Sri Lanka must follow UNCLOS as well as other international mechanisms, noting that the IORA Blue Economy Framework and the Climate Change Strategic Agenda, adopted at the 24th Council Meeting in 2025, form key pillars of the country’s engagement.

He stressed that reinstating and strengthening international laws enables Sri Lanka, and other nations facing multiple challenges, to respond effectively.

Highlighting the importance of the blue economy, the Minister said it promotes the sustainable use and management of maritime resources, and that greater awareness is needed across regional countries regarding its protection and development. He called for a structural transformation in the implementation of the blue economy, fully aligned with international legal obligations.

Addressing climate change, he said it directly affects economic sustainability. Citing recent cyclones impacting Sri Lanka, as noted by India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, Herath said such disasters show that no single country can face these challenges alone. He stressed the need for regional mechanisms, particularly when confronting maritime security issues and economic shocks. According to him, facing such challenges requires collective action “as a region, as a globe.”

The Minister reiterated that if all countries follow UNCLOS, many conflicts and disputes would not arise. He said Sri Lanka, having faced numerous difficulties, is committed to strengthening and implementing transformation structures to activate the IORA Blue Economy Framework and the Climate Change Strategic Agenda.

During the session, journalist Palki Sharma asked how Sri Lanka balances economic partnerships with the need to avoid strategic entanglement amid major sea-lane competition. In response, Minister Herath said balancing climate priorities with economic growth is essential to achieving national goals.

Although challenging, he said every country, big or small, has a powerful voice, and Sri Lanka must create strong mechanisms that protect livelihoods while advancing the blue economy and environmental stewardship.

He said Sri Lanka has already taken steps in this direction but acknowledged they are “not enough,” which is why the country continually advocates for regional cooperation. Through such cooperation, Minister Herath said countries can build common standards, facilitate cooperative security arrangements, and harmonise approaches to the blue economy and climate change.