About INSS

Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) is the premier think tank on national security of Sri Lanka established under the Ministry of Defence. The institute was established to understand the security environment and provide sound and timely assessment and recommendations on all aspects of national security to safeguard Sri Lanka from threats to its national security to the President, the National Security Council, the Minister of Defence and other relevant authorities dealing with national security. The institute will conduct a broad array of events and research on national security for this purpose.

Genesis

Being strategically positioned, Sri Lanka is vulnerable to both traditional and nontraditional security threats. Realizing the need to incorporate the best minds and strategic thinkers to advise and assist the decision makers in handling emerging threats, a think tank exclusively dedicated for the national security was first mooted by a team of officials who outlined the concept and drew the first blue print of the institute in 2015.

Subsequently, the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL) was established by a cabinet decision made on 30th March 2016 as requested by a cabinet memorandum submitted by the Minister of Defence. Initially the institute was located and functioned with a skeleton crew within the Ministry of Defence building at Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo 3 and was shifted to the 8th floor of ‘Suhurupaya’, Battaramulla and officially commenced its operations on 02nd January 2017. The name of the institute was subsequently changed to “Institute of National Security Studies” (INSS) by a cabinet decision taken on the 07th December 2020.


Vision - "To secure Sri lanka by nurturing visionary,collective,and decisive leaders in security policy and decision making."

Mission - "To enhance National Security of Sri Lanka through excellence in research, education and networking."


Objectives :
  • Provide sound and timely assessment and recommendations on all aspects of national security to safeguard Sri Lanka from threats to its national security to the President, the National Security Council, the Minister, the Minister assigned the subject of Defence, and other relevant authorities;

  • Study the existing and evolving global, regional and international threats to the security of nations which may have an impact on the national security of Sri Lanka;

  • Serve as a platform for the Government, private sector and civil society to collaborate, deliberate, debate and discuss on issues sanctioned by the majority of the Board referred to in section 6 which affect the national security of Sri Lanka and its impact on socio-economic stability and wellbeing of the people of Sri Lanka as sanctioned by the Board referred to in section 6;

  • Serve as a capacity builder for strengthening public and private institutions, policy makers, and the public including civil society groups on national security concerns; and

  • Serve as a central repository of knowledge for those who engage in research and studies including policy makers, scholars and practitioners in the field of security and strategic studies.

    • Contact : inss.srilanka@gmail.com
    Sri Lanka