Former Foreign Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris said Sri Lanka should play a leading role in ensuring security in the Indian Ocean in the wake of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking at a joint opposition media briefing, he said Sri Lanka could utilise the platform of the Colombo Security Conclave to strengthen regional cooperation on maritime security.
Professor Peiris noted that Sri Lanka should work closely with member states of the conclave, including Maldives, Mauritius and Bangladesh, to address emerging security challenges in the region.
He also said the present government should follow the example set by former Sri Lankan leaders such as Sirimavo Bandaranaike, J. R. Jayewardene, Ranasinghe Premadasa and Ranil Wickremesinghe, who played key roles in positioning Sri Lanka as an important player in international affairs.
