National security: Strengths, weaknesses and responsibility

BY Nadeeka Dissanayake

Security is a relative condition. In that sense, national security is a more complex, a state that could be baffling. Is it only about military security – i.e. espionage, terrorism and invasions? Under current global concerns, such as climate change, what would be situation in a crisis arising due to a mammoth sized natural disaster? Wouldn’t national security be compromised? In such case doesn’t it require a broader understanding beyond military security?

The answer to the question, ‘who is responsible for national security?’, lies in the reasonable definition of the matter.

Commonly, the present idea of national security, with the concept of nation-state, is defined as protection against threats or potential threats to a free and democratic society — military, socially and economically. 

The National Security Systems Hand Book of New Zealand states: “National security is the condition which permits the citizens of a state to go about their daily business confidently free from fear and able to make the most of opportunities to advance their way of life. It encompasses the preparedness, protection and preservation of people and of property and information, both tangible and intangible.”  The National Security Policy of Malaysia defines: “…a state of being free from any threat, whether internally or externally, to its core values.”

The idea depends on the nation’s view point based on multiple facts – for one it could be day-to-day life while for another its about the country’s core values, or at times both. The Sri Lankan context of national security has seen periodical spikes, rather a national strategy. Since the late 1970s till 2009 (and still continue to be) it has been eliminating terrorism. With the tsunami in 2004, the view point of national security seems to have shifted temporarily. The Digana communal violence, the Easter Sunday bombings in 2019 shifted the concept of national security further.

Traditionally Sri Lankan national security concept is considered a military role. This may be the notion that even in disaster management, the military is heavily utilized. Although the military’s human resource is a significant contribution. 

Yet, we need to keep in mind that in most cases, globally and locally, the reasons for national security disruptions are non-military, but more of political and cultural in nature. The Sri Lankan internal conflict – war ravaged between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam – caused and sustained not on military reasons, but more of political and economical reasons. Even though it eventually had to be destructed militarily. Yet, the continuous threats remain as the causes were/are political. Therefore, it is obvious that a national security policy can not be focused solely on military matters. Studies have proven that most of the instabilities and agonies the world faced in post-World War 2 era is mostly due to non-traditional threats to a country or its national security. Therefore, the national security concept faced a paradigm shift. Today, in such situations, socio-political solutions are indispensable. 

The modern concept of national security is more towards ensuring citizens to “…go about their daily business confidently free from fear and able to make the most of opportunities to advance their way of life” or free from ‘any threat’. As discussed this is not possible solely on a military strategy. Thus, the concept of a comprehensive national security emerged. It’s a case-by-case, country-by-country scenario. At the moment, Sri Lankan concept of national security seems to be revolving around terrorism and later by extremism resulted from experiencing communal violence and Easter Sunday bomb attack. Yet, Sri Lanka can get vulnerable socially, economically and culturally too. US Envoy to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, speaking at the National Defence College recently emphasized that economic vulnerabilities can create opportunity for foreign powers to interfere in Sri Lankan matters. Chung said: “Economic security is not just about prosperity – it is intrinsically linked to national sovereignty.  A strong economy empowers a nation to make independent decisions, free from undue external influence.  This is particularly crucial for Sri Lanka, given its strategic location and the economic opportunities and security risks associated with its maritime domain, including sitting on the sea lanes transporting 2/3 of the world’s oil.”

The event was organized in the backdrop of the high-profile visit by US Indo-Pacific Command’s Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo. Even though her speech was diplomatically promoting US assistance to Sri Lanka, ‘strengthening partnerships’, the emphasis on a comprehensive national security strategy was undeniably vital. Chung added: “Therefore, developing comprehensive national security and national defense strategies are vital to success, as it ensures the integration and alignment of economic security, energy security, and social security with broader national security objectives.” She emphasized that a national security strategy for Sri Lanka need to be established aligning priorities and efforts across all sectors to form a ‘resilient economy’. Further she added that it is a resilient economy is one that can withstand shocks and adapt to changing circumstances.

With lessons learnt and advices taken, Sri Lanka needs to fast forward the process of establishing a broader national security policy. And the State needs to clearly understand that national security is not just about military and its power. It is not just military intelligence but also financial intelligence – a segment Sri Lanka is weak at the moment. And the responsibility of national security is multifactorial. Multiple ministries, departments and institutes need to be networked to cover military, economy, disaster management, food and water availability, social security etc. It may sound a mammoth task yet it is inevitable and within our reach since its about efficiently managing the available resources and prioritizing correctly. 

If the decision not wisely and strategically taken, the Government can compromise Sri Lankan national security, possibly hidden in the policies established unseen for a very long time.