Charter and MoU for the establishment of the Colombo Security Conclave Secretariat signed – The Island

The Member States of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)) – Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and Mauritius signed the Charter and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the CSC Secretariat this afternoon (30) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The Indian National Security Advisor Mr. Ajit Doval KC; the National Security Advisor of the Maldives Mr. Ibrahim Latheef, DC (Retired), Lt. Col. (Retired); the High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius to Sri Lanka HE Haymandoyal Dillum and the Senior Adviser to the President on National Security of Sri Lanka Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka signed the documents on behalf of the respective member states.

Speaking at the ceremony, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security of Sri Lanka, Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, stressed that the scope of national security now extends beyond external threats and also includes the management of internal challenges arising from technological advancements. He emphasised the need for governments to adopt more practical approaches in addressing the negative impacts of freedom of expression in today’s digital age, while recognising it as a fundamental right.

The core objective of the CSC is to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common interest to Member States. There are five pillars of cooperation under the CSC, namely maritime safety and security; counter-terrorism and radicalisation; combating trafficking in human beings and transnational organised crime; cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure and technology; and humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka addressed the audience and explained:
It is with great pleasure that I welcome our esteemed colleagues and delegations to Sri Lanka for the momentous occasion of signing the founding documents of the Colombo Security Conclave. Today, we gather in Colombo, united by our shared commitment to regional security and cooperation. This historic occasion offers us yet another opportunity to deepen our formal commitment to the principles of this esteemed Conclave, upholding a common strategic vision, emphasizing the importance of resisting escalating external influences in the region, and fostering cooperation while avoiding conflict with neighbouring countries.

Since its inception in 2011, the Colombo Security Conclave, originally established as a trilateral maritime security cooperation between India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, has successfully navigated numerous challenges and made significant progress. We are now fortunate to have Mauritius and Bangladesh as active members, and Seychelles has also been invited to join. The unwavering cooperation between our member states is a testament to our resilience in the face of adversity and our commitment to maintaining peace in the region.

Sri Lanka is honoured to host this event, especially as the home of the Permanent Secretariat of the Colombo Security Conclave. This demonstrates our commitment to addressing the complex security challenges that affect us all. Our shared commitment to the five fundamental pillars and objectives of the Conclave will be instrumental in shaping a future where peace, stability and prosperity are not just aspirations but realities.

In a rapidly changing world with evolving threats, our efforts must focus on strengthening regional partnerships, sharing intelligence and developing cooperative strategies. It is essential that we address traditional security concerns while simultaneously tackling emerging threats that transcend borders, such as cybersecurity, transnational crime and maritime security.

Furthermore, I would like to touch on the recent experience of Sri Lanka, a country that has just emerged from an economic crisis. During this period, we saw weeks of violence in the streets of Colombo and Bangladesh has also had its own challenges. Sri Lanka has a deeply entrenched social welfare system, with successive governments committed to serving the people. However, over time, it became increasingly difficult to finance these welfare services, leading to unsustainable borrowing. This culminated in a government that made election promises to cut taxes and implement a 100% chemical-free agricultural policy. These promises were kept, but the consequences were severe, leading to a financial crisis where the government struggled to service loans and finance daily activities. The situation escalated to the point where money was printed, eventually resulting in unrest and uprisings, fueled by the rapid spread of information through technology.
National security now extends beyond external threats to include the internal challenges posed by technological advances and the management of such advances. While freedom of expression is a fundamental right, managing its impact in the digital age is a delicate balance that governments must navigate.

As we move forward, it is critical that we share our experiences and insights to develop solutions that are both innovative and practical. By leveraging our collective expertise, we can build a sustainable framework that supports security and promotes deeper regional integration.

I urge you to seize this opportunity to strengthen our commitment to a prosperous future and to forge stronger ties, moving towards a future of mutual respect and cooperation for the benefit of our peoples.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those involved in organizing this event in such a short time. The efforts of the Ministers of State, the Secretary of State, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Colombo Security Conclave Secretariat, the various missions and the respective governments have been remarkable. The speedy approvals and coordination are unheard of in this part of the world and I am deeply grateful to all.

After the ceremony, the National Security Advisor of India Mr. Ajit Doval KC; the National Security Advisor of Maldives Mr. Ibrahim Latheef, DC (Retired), Lt. Col. (Retired); the High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius to Sri Lanka HE Haymandoyal Dillum and the Senior Advisor to the President on National Security of Sri Lanka Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka held a special conversation.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka HE Santosh Jha, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Aruni Wijewardene, Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (retired), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa and other dignitaries. Heads of diplomatic missions, senior officers from the Ministry of External Affairs, officers of the tri-forces and officials from the Colombo Security Conclave Secretariat were also present on the occasion.