'Indian Ocean Must Remain a Zone of Peace' - Defence Secretary

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka has issued a strong call for global cooperation and stability amid rising geopolitical tensions, warning that the rapidly emerging multi-polar world order presents both opportunities and serious risks to international peace and security.

Speaking on the evolving global landscape, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), pointed out that the international system is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the rise of multiple centres of power. He noted that this shift is significantly reshaping political, economic, technological and security dynamics across the world.

While the transition toward a multi-polar framework could potentially foster greater global balance and inclusivity, he cautioned that intensifying competition among major powers, increasing geopolitical rivalries and the erosion of multilateral cooperation are contributing to heightened uncertainty in the global security environment.

The Defence Secretary stressed that modern security challenges are no longer limited to traditional military threats. He pointed out that non-traditional risks such as cyber attacks, terrorism, violent extremism, transnational crime networks, disinformation campaigns and the misuse of emerging technologies are increasingly influencing global stability. These threats, he said, are further compounded by economic volatility, food and energy insecurity, and climate-related disasters, particularly affecting developing nations and smaller states.

He underscored that the interconnected nature of these challenges demands a broader understanding of security that goes beyond conventional defence frameworks.

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s strategic geographic position, Thuyacontha emphasized that developments in the Indian Ocean region are of particular importance. He noted that the region is rapidly gaining geopolitical and economic significance as global power competition expands into the Indo-Pacific.

Amid these developments, Sri Lanka has reiterated its longstanding position that the Indian Ocean must remain a zone of peace, cooperation and shared prosperity. The Defence Secretary stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and upholding international law as essential components of both regional and global stability.

He further called for constructive engagement, mutual respect and dialogue among nations to prevent escalating tensions from leading to conflict. According to him, no single country can effectively address the complex and evolving security challenges of today.

Issues such as maritime security, cybercrime, terrorism and climate-related risks, he said, require strengthened international cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordinated global action.

Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s foreign policy stance, the Defence Secretary noted that the country remains committed to principles of non-alignment and peaceful coexistence while maintaining balanced and friendly relations with all nations.

He also highlighted the critical role smaller states can play in promoting dialogue, building trust and supporting stability in an increasingly fragmented global environment.

Thuyacontha emphasized that the rise of a multi-polar world should not divide the international community but instead serve as an opportunity to build a more inclusive and cooperative global order based on mutual respect, shared responsibility and solidarity.