Scientific Publishing Sri Lanka at Crossroads: Geopolitical Challenges and National Interests

Review Sri Lanka is blessed with a beautiful climate and abundant natural resources. It is also ideally positioned at the southernmost point of the Indian sub-continent for the maritime trade which brings people, products and ideas from all over the world. Alas, the coin has two sides. Sri Lanka's endowments naturally attract unwelcome external interest and big power rivalry. When the country is united, the external elements can be kept in balance. When the country is divided, the divisions are made worse by external forces. In 70 years of independence, Sri Lanka has had to confront interconnected internal and external challenges. Abeyagoonasekera's book describes and analyses these challenges and points a way forward to a happier future for this gem of an island in the Indian Ocean. --George Yeo Former Foreign Minister of Singapore As the Indo-Pacific theatre takes center stage in geopolitics, Sri Lanka has been cast in a central role. This timely and important collection sheds light on scenarios for the future of the country and region that open a window into forecasting the future power balance in Asia. --Dr Parag Khanna, Author of Connectography (2016) and The Future is Asian (2019) This is one of the best books to understand the dilemma Sri Lanka is facing. Currently, the 'Japan US India Australia versus China' confrontation has been intensifying. In such a situation, what should Sri Lanka do? The importance of Sri Lanka is rising and geographically speaking, the country has an advantage. Thus, Sri Lanka needs a strategy for surviving as a rising independent country, by using this geographical advantage. In this book, Asanga Abeyagoonasekera explains the right course with his in-depth knowledge of the country, allowing us to learn about the new, bright future of Sri Lanka. --Dr Satoru Nagao, Visiting Fellow at Hudson Institute and expert on Japan US India security cooperation Product Description Asanga Abeyagoonasekera offers a unique perspective on a broad range of political, economic, and cultural trends as they impact and relate to Sri Lanka. With a focus on geopolitical influences, he offers great insight into the contemporary issues facing this relatively young island nation.Dr Karen S Miller, Chair of Political Science, Criminal Justice, and Organizational Leadership, Northern Kentucky UniversityThis is a great project linking Sri Lanka's geopolitics (as a backdrop) to examine the country's national security, foreign policy, relations, national development, regional affairs, etc., in a globalised world namely involving China, India, and the US. It is an in-depth study connecting all these aspects defining Sri Lanka's geopolitics, security, and development.Dr Runa Das, Professor of Political Science, University of Minnesota DuluthAbeyagoonasekera's book discusses the shift of power from the Asia-Pacific to the Indo-Pacific. With its unique geographic position, its human and natural resources, Sri Lanka is resuming its geostrategic and geopolitical significance.The book describes the decline of the west and how the epicenter of global development is shifting to Asia. After 450 years of colonial domination, the western civilization is on the decline. The world is witnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In his admirable study, Abeyagoonasekera makes an appreciable contribution towards understanding our region's future!Professor Rohan Gunaratna, Head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTUAsanga Abeyagoonasekera skilfully and meticulously guides the reader to a clearer understanding of the thinking and decision-making within the highest echelons during various periods of Sri Lanka's recent past, and also offers a trenchant analysis as to the country's aspirations (including in the wider geopolitical and strategic context) into the future.Dr Shashi Jayakumar, Head of Centre of Excellence for National Security, S. Raja