ED/RCSS Amb. Aryasinha says Middle East crisis a critical wake-up call for structural reforms in Sri Lanka and to address foreign policy anomalies

Amb. (Retd.) Ravinatha Aryasinha, Executive Director, Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS) has observed that the ongoing Middle East crisis should serve as a critical wake-up call for Sri Lanka to implement long-overdue fundamental structural economic reforms and to address more recent foreign policy anomalies. Delivering a keynote address during a webinar hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ICCSL) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) on 25 April 2026, the former Foreign Secretary said many of Sri Lanka’s problems arising from the current crisis – such as the the need for greater product and market diversification, inability to invite greater foreign direct investment, and the need for better availing of renewable energy potential, have been perennial problems long highlighted, but not acted upon in any tangible manner, despite even the shocks last year resulting from the Trump tariffs. Noting that additionally distancing itself from traditionally friendly countries such as Russia and Iran to avoid antagonizing other countries has been costly, and the situation provides an opportunity for Sri Lanka to also correct those anomalies. He observed that despite considerable challenges Sri Lanka’s measured approach to the present crisis has helped in keeping communication channels open across all key stakeholders, leaving it in a better position to navigate through the storm. This position should be strengthened, rather than undermined by ad-hoc “quick deals” that may not be sustainable in the long term.