Sri Lanka and Indian Ocean foreign policy By Dr. Sarala Fernando View(s): View(s):The vision of Sri Lanka as an Indian Ocean state has been evolving over the years. However, it’s worth considering why some early political initiatives in the Indian Ocean did not stand the test of time like the Indian Ocean Peace Zone (IOPZ). In terms of formulating an Indian Ocean policy, the Sri Lanka Institute for International Relations (now known as the Lakshman Kadirgarmar Institute) was given the task during its fledgling days, to identify the early influences on Sri Lanka’s foreign policy and its role in the world. In this book, chapters on marine mammals and pelargic birds brought in environmental issues as indispensable to Sri Lanka’s Indian Ocean heritage. Even hapless animals are not immune – recently the Sri Lanka navy seized some 2,000 star tortoises being smuggled from India to Sri Lanka destined for transshipment to western markets.

Source: Sunday Times November 20, 2017 04:18 UTC