In this episode of Saltwater Strategists, host Duncan MacRae welcomes former Sri Lankan naval officer Dr Roshan Kulatunga to discuss Sri Lankan maritime strategy through the lens of his recent academic research. Dr Kulatunga holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Peradeniya, where he currently conducts research on maritime strategy, sea power, maritime diplomacy and the security of small island states. He also serves as a Research Associate at the Indo-Pacific Study Centre.

Dr Kulatunga describes the historical origins of contemporary naval and maritime security in Sri Lanka before drawing on applicable strategic theories such as Shelter Theory by Iceland’s Buldur Thorhallsson, and more traditional naval theorists such as Mahan, to argue the case for a deliberate, cohesive maritime strategy which brings together the full community of Sri Lankan maritime agencies and stakeholders. Through this unified strategy, supported by a strongly engaged academic and practitioner community, Sri Lanka will be best placed to face future strategic challenges.