Post Graduate Diploma Dissertation Proposal

Assessment of Role of Foreign Policy for the Defence of Sri Lanka from 2004 to 2009

B.S.Tharanga Kariyawasam

Introduction

It is not easy even to think of surviving for a country on their own in current global context because countries are interconnected by means of international relations. Hence, it is very important to a state to find and determine a suitable foreign policy, which defends a countrys internal affairs from foreign intimidation and secure the national interest in international arena. Foreign policy is a set of guidance that a country implemented in actions of promoting national interests in others countries. This policy framework may encapsulate the process, procedures and structures that a state used to arrive at decisions in relation to external and internal matters involved in national interests. This research is focused to assess the role of foreign policy, which was implemented in favour of the defence of Sri Lanka within the considered period. Sri Lanka has suffered a lot from terrorism came out of ethnic drift. Various regimes adopted various approaches to find solutions for terrorism.Winning the war is not result of a military campaign but a set of measures and interactions among contributing factors such as foreign policy, media policy, financial policy and the political leadership. Within the period of considering from 2004 to 2009, it was evident that the foreign policy was changed from peace era to war era with the government change. The change was manoeuvred within a short period from one end to the other. Shifting Sri Lankas foreign policy was inevitable to prepare along with all aspects involved in war to get the momentum against The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the sake of the defence of the country.It is apparent that Sri Lanka cannot win the protracted war, which has been internationalised if Sri Lanka failed to get support foreign countries to ally friends and isolate enemies. Up to the point of end of war, Sri Lanka has been successful in using the foreign policy for the defence of country because it was proofed by having of tangible result of ending the war with LTTE terrorists.India is an important foreign actor among those countries involved as partisans of the war with government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. United Nations, Europe Union, Norway, Japan, Canada, China, Pakistan, United Kingdom and USA are also important state actors who have influencing powers in this war and Tamil diaspora is an important non-state actor. Sri Lanka is located in strategic location in Indian Ocean region and this has been the very reason for being the limelight.To which extent, the foreign policy was successful in favour of the defence of the country is the important fact which is assessed here by analysing the role of foreign policy of Sri Lanka within the considered era for providing insights of diplomacy in foreign policy for future usage. Greater understanding of shifting foreign policy from peace era to war era and favouring the defence of the country is the main objective of this research.Research problem Within the period of 2004 to 2009, it is noted that the foreign policy has been shifted in order to find peaceful solution from negotiation approach to warring situation for the sake of finding solution for the protracted war continued with government of Sri Lanka and LTTE. This research intends to assess to how the foreign policy creates more conducive environment from peaceful era to war era and to which extent foreign policy successfully contributes to win the war.Research HypothesisThe hypothesis of this study is that the foreign policy of Sri Lanka had a dramatic change in transformation of foreign policy in favour of defence of Sri Lanka within the period from 2004 to 2009.Research questionsThis research is based on assessment of the role of foreign policy, which supports the defence in peace era and terrorised period. Foreign policy is an important aspect that echoes the national interest of the country. Therefore, it is essential to correlate the foreign policy in accordance with that change of situation.My research question are as follows.1. Was there a shift in Sri Lankan foreign policy in favour of the defence within the considered period and why has it occurred? 2. To which extent, the foreign policy of Sri Lanka within the considered period is successful in favour of the defence of country.3. How does the shift in foreign policy of Sri Lanka impact on defeating the LTTE who terrorised almost three decades.4. What important actions were taken to transform foreign policy from peace era to warring era in favour of the defence of country?What are the positive and outcomes in foreign policy transformation outcomes in relation to the offensive actions against LTTE. Methodology

The research is conducted as a desk study, utilising both primary and secondary printed and electronic sources in order to fulfil the research objective. hence, in order to carry out a qualitative content analysis of texts relevant to the research problem, the selection of sources should be based on research questions which together specify the data required. In addition to this primary data is collected from persons who were involved in formulating policies relating to defence and foreign affairs. The research is expected to conduct in form of qualitative content analysis in the Sri Lankan context. Primary data and secondary data are to be collected from the publication by the government and reliable newspapers.Literature reviewVarious polices involved in governance frameworks very important in governing a state according to the aspiration of people. Polices enable a state to determine the course of actions or best decision which is suitable for securing the interest of the people. In this research, mainly foreign policy and defence policy within the considered period is focused and assessed. In a country foreign policy and the defence, policy is inextricably linked because defence policy and foreign policy are a partnership aimed at securing Sri Lanka physical, economic, social, and cultural wellbeing, and meeting our regional and global responsibilities.According to Foreign policy involves goals, strategies, measures, methods, guidelines, directives, understandings, agreements, and so on, by which national governments conduct international relations with each other and with international organizations and non-governmental actors (Jackson & Srensen, 2013). Basu (2012) argues that a coherent foreign policy is a representation of national concerns, which is the reflection of the wide interest of the people and not narrow interests of the ruler. It implies, that the foreign policy is something what citizens are interested in and reflection of the people. What people want and interest may vary, and the foreign policy should follow in order to not to be obsolete.

Significance of the study.