Sri Lanka and France to set up Regional Centre for Maritime Studies
August 08, Colombo (LNW): A ‘Regional Centre for Maritime Studies’ will be set up in Sri Lanka through a bilateral agreement between the Governments of Sri Lanka and France.
The French Government has identified Sri Lanka as the most suitable location for this centre, recognising the country’s proactive initiatives in maritime protection as a member of the Association of Indian Ocean countries.
The proposed centre will be set up at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, with additional support and infrastructure provided by the Trincomalee Naval and Maritime Academy.
The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved the establishment of this Regional Centre for Maritime Studies.
This strategic placement leverages Sri Lanka’s geographic and academic strengths to foster regional maritime studies and collaborations.
“The centre aims to disseminate knowledge and coordinate actions based on joint studies, enhancing regional maritime security and cooperation,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.
The proposal to this effect tabled by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Defence Minister was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
A few months ago, the French Government proposed the creation of this centre, marking France’s first significant maritime initiative in the South Asian seas. T
his move has sparked considerable debate and speculation about the deeper strategic motives behind this decision.
he initiative, aimed at enhancing maritime security and knowledge dissemination across the Indian Ocean region, will see the centre set up within the General Sir John Kotalawala Defence University.
The Trincomalee Faculty of Naval and Oceanographic Sciences will provide the necessary support and infrastructure, further cementing Trincomalee’s status as a key strategic maritime hub.
The Council of Ministers has approved a proposal by the President, who also serves as the Minister of Defence, to enter into a bilateral agreement with France for the establishment of this centre.
This move has raised eyebrows among geopolitical analysts, who suggest that France’s late but strategic entry into the region could signal broader ambitions.
Critics argue that France’s presence in the Indian Ocean could shift the regional balance of power, given the nation’s historical influence and current military capabilities.
This development comes at a time when maritime security and territorial waters are increasingly becoming focal points of international tension.
