• Says SL will continue existing security linkages 
• Defence/security modernisation to be decided after election
• Relieving pressure felt by public an expenditure priority
• Asserts security will not be compromised

 With a historic change in Sri Lanka’s political landscape following the National People’s Power (NPP) winning the Presidential Election last month, many eyes are on the island nation’s trajectory. 

With General Elections just four weeks away, how the island will calibrate its defence and security posture has been a key question. It is clear that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led NPP is eager to ensure that the Caretaker Government it has formed will lead to a parliamentary government post-General Elections.

The Sunday Morning in an exclusive interview discussed the national security environment with the newly-appointed Ministry of Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha to discuss the NPP’s planned trajectory on national security, which the former combat aviator said would be gradually implemented, with the bulk of the decisions left to be taken by the next Parliament and government. 

The appointment of Thuyacontha itself is a departure from the norm for the defence establishment, with the Ministry of Defence usually being led by a retired Army officer.

Following are excerpts:

How does the NPP Caretaker Government view the current national security environment?

Ensuring national security is paramount for any state. From a national security perspective, the ongoing economic crisis; issues around food security, energy security, and the regional security environment; and issues surrounding the youth of the country are significant concerns for us.

I do not foresee a traditional defence threat from another country on the horizon thus far. I don’t think there is a threat of a typical conventional nature from another country towards us.

However, we are concerned about internal and external non-traditional threats. Our society, which has already been affected by economic hardships, is affected by organised crime, ranging from drugs to human trafficking. 

The rise in cybercrime is a concern, along with cybersecurity. Further, youth unrest due to socioeconomic issues are also a concern for us. The increasing impact on climate change and natural disasters on Sri Lanka is also a matter of concern for the Government. 

Our youth are struggling to find employment and are seeking to travel overseas to find it. Youth unrest has the potential to become a risk multiplier, so our Government has a course of action planned to address this. 

We are formulating strategies to address these concerns in a gradual manner. We do not want to rush in and disrupt existing systems in a haphazard manner. We will execute the strategies we develop smoothly to ensure we effectively address national security concerns.

Can you briefly describe the NPP Government’s top national security priority?

First we need to re-establish an effective form of governance, one that people have trust in. We will have to ensure that it is established with the proper people in charge and that the new system is functioning effectively.

This applies to the security and defence establishment as well. We also need to ensure, with the change of government, that the right person for the right task is appointed. We can’t disrupt the security apparatus even for a short period of time, so the change will happen gradually. 

We also want to improve networking among the security systems we have in place already, as we have had bad experiences in the past of them not working in synergy. As a Government, we will not neglect any area of security. 

As Ministry of Defence Secretary, it’s my responsibility to ensure that we reach that synergy and become more effective. We will strive to develop a whole of Government approach on security-related matters. National security is connected to all aspects of governance and society, so that needs to be reflected in the establishment. 

The NPP had said that it plans to strengthen the existing national security architecture. What will such a process entail?

We have established a National Security Council for the Caretaker Government. We are in a transitional period. Accordingly, we need to first establish our government. Once we form a new government, we will introduce the strategies which we prioritise for the security establishment.

We will hold discussions with all stakeholders and formulate how to implement the strategies. As we are in transition, it is too early to say what will be done. 

Will there be a review of how the national intelligence infrastructure and community functions?

Yes, the intelligence agencies should be working in the national interest. They should not be used for the political interest of parties. We are bound to protect the State; intelligence services should be there to protect Sri Lanka and its people, and should be geared to fulfil that duty. 

We want to depoliticise the system. We need to have a synergised intelligence apparatus that works effectively. Where we need to improve the effectiveness of the agencies and policies, we will do so. We must be able to have a stable and secure country for development to take off. An NPP government will not allow the intelligence apparatus to be used in a harmful or undemocratic manner.

Sri Lanka contributes to the regional security architecture. Does your Government plan to make any changes to our existing bilateral and multilateral security arrangements under its foreign policy?

Our bilateral and regional security arrangements are based on Sri Lanka’s foreign policy. We will not do anything to negatively impact our neighbouring countries. We will respect the linkages we have forged over many decades. We will always have sound diplomatic ties with all countries based on our foreign policy of being friends of all and enemies of none. 

It is unlikely our security relationships will change in the near to medium term. We have always contributed effectively to the regional security architecture and will continue to do so. Of course, we have to be cognisant of the geopolitical developments in our region. We don’t want anything to disrupt the peace, safety, and stability of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The NPP has indicated that it plans to modernise and improve the armed forces by incorporating technology and capabilities. What are the core areas of defence modernisation that you are focused on?

Yes, we want to modernise our armed forces. Modernisation goes hand in glove with technology. Our armed forces are using outdated equipment and systems, and need to improve on training in some areas. For example, the aircraft and naval fleet are in need of modernisation, as are some segments of the land vehicles fleet.

We need to prioritise our requirements and move to re-equip or modernise over a period of time. We need to improve our maritime security, maritime and land surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, and much more. We should not allow long delays without modernisation. However, we will need to wait till we form a government and then decide on budgetary priorities and settle on what kind of expenditure we can muster.

In the current climate, we must address the crisis the public is facing first. Issues with the cost of living and the economic crisis will likely take priority. But this doesn’t mean security and defence will be neglected; it means that when prioritising fund allocation, we will have to be judicious. We must provide the relevant tools and equipment that the forces need to carry out their role and task.

There have been concerns about the military being used for non-military tasks, such as construction. Staff recruited for such tasks also make up the ranks of the armed forces. Will an NPP government continue such practices?

We will move to identify the priority work such staff engage in, such as the key nation-building efforts. The military does have a role to play in certain Government development work and in maintenance of critical infrastructure. 

However, we have observed that military personnel have been used in the past for tasks not befitting their use. We will study the matter and act on it. What is important to identify is if such employment of our armed forces resources is beneficial to the country or a waste.

The defence establishment has undertaken a defence review over the past two years, the ‘Defence Review 2030’. What will become of it? Will your Government follow through with it?

We will need some time to study the report that has been completed. We will hold stakeholder meetings to get their views and then we may need to make some amendments to the report. I feel that the experts who compiled the report did a good job.

The NPP manifesto states that a government under its leadership will improve research for defence and security, and develop cybersecurity policies to manage critical national infrastructure, information, and data. How will this be implemented?

Yes, we are very interested in improving the Research and Development (R&D) capacity not only in security but also in all sectors across Sri Lankan industries. R&D is very important for us to develop Sri Lanka and improve our economy. It will help Sri Lanka grow. The President has also acknowledged this. Cybersecurity is also a critical part of our broader security system, which needs to be improved.

We want to revitalise the national security think-tank which functions under the Ministry of Defence and improve it to aid in researching security-related issues and helping us formulate effective policies on security. The same goes for the current R&D apparatus; we must improve it to develop critical solutions we need to help improve security and the capabilities of our armed forces.

In terms of building national resilience, would the NPP Government explore possibilities for a sovereign defence industrial capacity?

Yes, we plan to explore the possibility of a domestic defence industrial capacity. We have been talking about improving the local production economy and expanding our export basket; therefore, yes, we are interested in this. I think Sri Lanka can have some local defence industry if we ensure good standards are met and strict compliance frameworks are put in place.

Sri Lanka has over the years played a key role in maritime security within the IOR. Will it continue to do so under an NPP government?

We will. We will continue with the architecture we are a part of. As an island in the Indian Ocean, we share common threats with other countries in the region. Be it issues about safety at sea, climate change-related issues, organised crime, or extremism, Sri Lanka will be continuing to play its part to help keep our region safe and maintain order.

With the maritime expanse we all share, we cannot do it alone; nor can the others, so we must work together for mutual benefit. This is especially true for maritime security, as we are dependent on maritime trade and connectivity.

Sri Lanka has been engaged in peacekeeping duties for a significant period. Will your Government continue to pursue Sri Lankan contribution to peacekeeping operations?

Yes, we will. There is a lot of potential for Sri Lanka. We are positive that we want to continue such commitments to the United Nations (UN). Right now, we are constrained due to lack of modern equipment, but we will address that in the future.

Contributing to peacekeeping duties helps the armed forces to have international exposure and experience working with peacekeepers from other nations. This is important to bring in diverse experience, reinforce professionalism, and keep our vital skills sharp. It goes without saying that in this economic climate, it also brings in much-needed dollar revenue.