Ranil Wickremesinghe prioritizes Indian Ocean maritime security

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that protecting free and uninterrupted shipping in the Indian Ocean is Sri Lanka’s primary and most important priority. Speaking at a special event organized by the Geopolitical Cartography Association, Wickremesinghe emphasized the necessity of organizations like the Colombo Security Conclave to maintain regional peace amidst a complex geopolitical landscape.

He noted that the geopolitical environment of the Indian Ocean is constantly evolving, suggesting that no single global empire or navy can establish absolute dominance in the region. Wickremesinghe highlighted shifts in power, noting that the concept of the Indo-Pacific is evolving as the Indian Ocean develops its own distinct strength. He also pointed to global energy and trade impacts caused by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian Makran coast, and Houthi control in Yemen, which are creating a new balance of power in the Western Indian Ocean.