Sri Lanka’s commitment to safeguarding its freedom and sovereignty has been reaffirmed with the release of the “Defence Review 2030 by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The comprehensive document outlines the evolving security landscape in the Indian Ocean region and sets the course for Sri Lanka’s defence policy in the coming years.

The President proposed the Defence Review 2030 at the recent Cabinet meeting, a release issued by the Presidential Media Division said.

The key principles of Sri Lanka’s defence policy after gaining independence have always revolved around protecting its sovereignty, avoiding military alliances, refraining from conflicts in the Indian Ocean, countering non-state actors adverse to Sri Lanka, and contributing to global peace. However, the security dynamics have witnessed a significant shift.

To spearhead this endeavour, President Wickremesinghe has appointed a review team comprising Major General Channa Gunathilake (Retd) as Chairman, Rear Admiral J. J. Ranasinghe (Retd), Major General P.R. Wanigasooriya (Retd.), Air Vice Marshal Andrew Wijesuriya (Retd.), Miss Sasikala Premawardena from the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, and Mr. Daniel Alphonsus as Adviser for Finance and Economic stabilization. The group will receive support from active-duty military personnel and foreign