Securing Sri Lanka’s seabed sovereignty By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):The government is compelled to enter the “blue economy” race for deep-sea minerals and the intensifying geopolitical competition over seabed resources in the Indian Ocean as it is of strategic importance, several maritime experts and hydrographers emphasised. He noted that while Sri Lanka had an early start in seabed charting, a “lack of strategic foresight and leadership” had taken the wind out of the sails. It has allowed regional competitors like China to commit significant resources to mapping the Indian Ocean seabed, he disclosed. Sri Lanka claims the area falls within its extended continental shelf submitted to the UN, causing the ISA to put India’s application on hold, he revealed. While countries like China and India have been actively mapping the Indian Ocean’s seabed, Sri Lanka’s efforts have been referred to as “reactionary” and lacking a long-term strategic plan.

Source: Sunday Times March 01, 2026 18:16 UTC