IISS Fellow Meets Deputy Minister of Defence
September 09, 2025Mr. Rahul Roy Chaudhury, Senior Fellow for South and Central Asian Defence, Strategy and Diplomacy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), met with Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), yesterday (8 Sep) at the Deputy ministers office premises.
The cordial discussion placed special emphasis on Sri Lanka’s engagement in the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defence and security summit organized annually by the IISS in Singapore. Both parties acknowledged the importance of Sri Lanka’s active participation in the Dialogue, not only to voice the nation’s perspectives on regional security but also to strengthen multilateral partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
Mr. Roy Chaudhury highlighted that the Shangri-La Dialogue provides a unique platform for senior government officials, defence ministers, military chiefs and strategic thinkers to exchange views on pressing security challenges. He noted that Sri Lanka’s contributions would add value to discussions on maritime security, counterterrorism and emerging regional threats.
Appreciating the IISS initiative, the Deputy Minister reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to maintaining constructive engagement in international and regional security forums. He underscored that Sri Lanka, located at a strategic maritime crossroads in the Indian Ocean, has a vital role to play in advancing dialogue and cooperation on peace, stability and secure sea lanes.
The meeting concluded on a positive note with both sides agreeing on the importance of continued collaboration between Sri Lanka and IISS in advancing shared security interests through dialogue and partnership.
