By Udeshika Jayasekara
The absence of a well-developed defence white paper
could hinder Sri Lanka's strategic response to a changing security environment,
Ms. Lucy Stronach, Australian researcher at the Institute of
National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL) observed last week.
Delivering her
presentation on the ‘The Defence White Paper: Assessing necessity and analysing
structures for Sri Lanka’s next strategic priority’ on July 19 2019, she
observed that Sri Lanka still lacks a defence white paper, and implored that
authorities develop a strategy that clearly spells out Sri Lanka’s national
security objectives, appraisal of security environment and an overall defence
policy.
Ms Stronach noted a
defence white paper is important for Sri Lanka for several reasons. Firstly, it
reflects state proactiveness in responding to a changing security environment. A
Defence white should also ideally be formulated with civilians, as this
civilian-military partnership enhances the democratic process and transparency.
Furthermore, clear budget allocations given in a defence white paper enhances government
accountability and legitimacy in spending, and thereby increases the public’s
trust in state security forces. Finally, a defence white paper reduces the
uncertainty of the security posture of Sri Lanka and helps to forge stronger bilateral
and foreign relations.
Ms Stronach noted that
Sri Lanka’s security environment has changed dramatically over the last years
and months, and new conventional and unconventional security threats have
emerged. Thus a white paper should develop targeted and planned responses
to a range of security challenges such as organised/transnational crime, terrorism, nuclear armament, cybercrime, great power competition, and climate change.
She stressed that a Sri
Lankan defence white paper should present the Government’s position on defence
policy, objectives and strategies, with specific mention to the security
environment and threats, future defence directions, and military doctrine. Further,
“a clear budget and distribution of resources to tangible goods and/or services
aligning with financial realities is crucial to keep the government accountable
and disciplined”. Civilian oversight and scrutiny of the military structure are
also important to ensure transparency and help the public understand and trust
the security forces of their country. Pubic insight and civilian expertise in
the formulation of a long-term national security strategy is also crucial,
according to Ms Stronach, as each party has unique insights and expertise that
will help create a well-rounded document.
She also noted that a white
paper should have a solid structure, yet it should be flexible enough to
accommodate inevitable changes in the security environment. According to Ms
Stronach, “All strategies that are made must be evidence-based in nature [rather
than influenced for political or personal gain], and decisions should be made
as cost-effectively as possible whilst adhering to core government objectives
and policy.”
Finally, like other
already available defence white papers, the Sri Lankan defence white paper must
be made available to the public. Without promoting this document, many of
the aforementioned reasons for production become redundant. The strategy needs
to be ‘owned by the people’, and if they are, and other states, are unable to
access the final product, Sri Lanka will miss out on many benefits.