A landmark event on the theme of “Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy: Choices in the Changing World” is being organised by the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) on 28-29 June 2017. The event will draw established experts and new voices to examine Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, and present ideas and recommendations for its future. Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of LKI, is expected to make the opening address.
The event will begin with a seminar on ‘Emerging Issues in the Indian Ocean’ which aims to present the regional context of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, focusing on developments relating to security and dispute resolution. Supported by Hemas Holdings PLC, the seminar will feature experts from Sri Lanka and overseas, including from Australia, Bangladesh, and Singapore. The Chief Executive Officer of Hemas Holdings PLC, Steven Enderby, stated, “Hemas is pleased to partner with LKI to help promote awareness on emerging regional issues, especially at a time when Sri Lanka is repositioning itself as the regional hub of the Indian Ocean.”
The seminar will be immediately followed by the Sri Lanka Foreign Policy Forum, where experts will examine the frameworks of Sri Lankan foreign policy, and the roles of key actors – including the Foreign Ministry, international organisations, the media, and private sector. Speakers will also offer insights on energy security, trade and investment, geo-economics, maritime security, human rights, and international law. In addition to local experts such as Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, former UN Under-Secretary General, the forum will feature scholars based abroad, including Professor Kanishka Jayasuriya of Murdoch University and Professor Lakshman Guruswamy of the University of Colorado. Professor Chin Leng Lim from Hong Kong, an expert on commercial diplomacy, will deliver a keynote address.
Participants will include policymakers, scholars from universities and think tanks, representatives from the private sector and civil society, and students. Commenting on the forthcoming event, LKI’s Executive Director, Dr. Dinusha Panditaratne, noted that the event is “a timely opportunity to consider the direction of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, in view of sustained global trends, more recent international changes, and new foreign policy leadership.” She also remarked that “LKI is honoured to partner with Hemas Holdings PLC, whose generous support has made it possible to launch this event with a seminar that presents the regional context of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy.”
More information about the event is available at www.slforeignpolicy2017.lk. LKI is a think tank that analyses Sri Lanka’s international relations and strategic interests, to provide insights and recommendations that advance justice, peace, prosperity, and sustainability. The Institute reflects the vision of the late Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar by promoting the country’s intellectual profile in foreign policy research and engagement.