The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) is a foreign policy think tank currently based in
Colombo
Colombo ( ; si, කොළඹ, translit=Koḷam̆ba, ; ta, கொழும்பு, translit=Koḻumpu, ) is the executive and judicial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo me ...
, Sri Lanka. The
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is an appointment in the Cabinet of Sri Lanka who is responsible for overseeing the international diplomacy of the Government of Sri Lanka. The post was first created in 1947 as Minister of External Affairs and Def ...
is ''ex officio'' the Chairman of LKI. LKI conducts independent research and functions as an autonomous organisation. LKI was established in 2006 and is named after the late
Sri Lankabhimanya Lakshman Kadirgamar, , MP, and former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister. The Institute is the realisation of a goal actively pursued by the late Minister, to fulfill the country's need for a think tank in the field of foreign policy research and engagement. Its stated mission is 'to engage in independent research of Sri Lanka’s international relations and strategic interests, and to provide insights and recommendations that advance justice, peace, prosperity and sustainability.'
History
The former Sri Lanka Institute of Strategic Studies (SLISS) was renamed in 2006 as the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies, in memory of the late Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar, via the SLISS (Amendment
Act, No. 32 of 2006to th
SLISS Act, No. 45 of 2000.
LKI was inaugurated by the late Hon. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake on 10 August 2006. In 2011, the Institute launched the first ever volume of the ‘Kadirgamar Review,’ a publication highlighting the Institute’s research papers in various areas of national, regional, and international significance. In 2016, LKI ranked 127th in the Top Foreign Policy and International Affairs Think Tanks category in the Global Think Tank Index.
Premises
Housed at
‘The Lighthouse,' on Horton Place, Colombo 7, LKI occupies a heritage building steeped in contemporary Sri Lankan history. Built by
D. D. Pedris, the premises were acquired by the
British Board of Trade in 1933, and housed the Imperial Lighthouse Service of Ceylon and Minicoy until 1976, when ownership was transferred to the
Sri Lankan Navy
ta, இலங்கை கடற்படை
, image = Sri Lanka Naval Seal.png
, image_size = 180px
, caption = Emblem of Sri Lanka Navy
, dates =
, c ...
. It has belonged to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. The entit ...
of Sri Lanka since 1977.
Publications
LKI’s research team generates publications for a range of stakeholders, including the Foreign Ministry, other ministries, the private sector, academics, civil society, students, the media, and other members of the public.
* Policy Briefs are extended analyses of foreign policy issues.
* Commentary are reports, analyses, and opinions on foreign policy issues, often with specific recommendations for policymakers.
* Explainers examine an aspect of Sri Lanka’s international relations, summarise key issues and address new developments on these aspects, with up-to-date information, facts and figures.
* Spotlights features interviews with experts and policymakers from around the world on aspects of contemporary international relations.
* Working Papers feature in-depth research on subjects related to Sri Lanka’s international relations.
* Takeaways are executive summaries of LKI events. They present key points and recommendations made at the LKI’s policy dialogues. The aim is to inform policymakers on the evolution of Sri Lanka’s policies in light of international developments.
Website
The Institute website features all the latest publications which are available for download. In addition, its Weekly Insights product summarises recent commentary on foreign policy issues from a Sri Lankan perspective, and—LKI’s blog, The Prospector, accepts contributions from local and global authors.
Policy influence
The Institute liaises with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government institutions to convene policy dialogues, provide input into policy speeches, and offer research papers on request. The Institute has also supposrted the Foreign Policy Advisory Group (FPAG), an informal group convened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and co-chaired by two senior retired diplomats. At the request of the Co-chairs of the FPAG, staff of LKI conducts research and presents information to members of the FPAG.
In addition to mobilising expertise, producing evidence-based policy insights, and offering actionable policy solutions for Sri Lanka's foreign policy issues, LKI also conducts regular events and discussions, featuring visiting dignitaries, senior academics, policy makers and other experts.
The Institute has signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with similar research institutions overseas, including in the UK and India. The Institute receives delegations from partner institutions and defence academies who wish to visit and learn more about developments in Sri Lanka. In addition, it regularly liaises with the diplomatic corps in Sri Lanka, in ‘goodwill’ meetings and to arrange potential programmes and events of mutual interest.
Research programmes
LKI's governing legislation provides that it will be dedicated to the study of Sri Lanka’s international relations and strategic interests in defence, national security, law, economics, cultural relations, agriculture, and the environment. There are two programmes to capture these themes: the Global Governance and Global Economy programmes respectively.
The Global Economy programme, chaired by Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja (DPhil Oxford), reflects the shifting emphasis in international relations – in Sri Lanka and elsewhere – to economic diplomacy. This programme seeks to analyse Sri Lanka’s trade, foreign investment, and tourism, including the potential to reposition Sri Lanka as an economic hub in the Indian Ocean region.
The Global Governance programme headed by Dr. Kadira Pethiyagoda (PhD Melbourne), covers issues relating to Sri Lanka’s international relations, international law, and security. These involve maritime issues, international dispute resolutions, transitional justice, international human rights norms, sustainable development, and Sri Lanka’s role in the United Nations, as well as Sri Lanka’s cultural relations in sports, religion, and the arts.
Events
LKI hosts four main types of events; LKI Roundtables, panel discussions, speeches, and memorial lectures. Events held at LKI are centered around topics of regional geopolitics, economics and strategic studies. Experts from various institutions and organisations are invited on a regular basis to take part in and contribute to events held at the institute.
A signature event at LKI is the annual Lakshman Kadirgamar Memorial Lecture, delivered by a current or former governmental or intergovernmental leader. LKI also regularly hosts Foreign Policy Round Tables which convene a diverse group of participants, including officials of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. The entit ...
, other members of the government, policymakers, scholars from universities and think tanks, media, representatives from the private sector and civil society, and students.
Board of Management
* Hon.
Dinesh Gunawardena
Dinesh Chandra Rupasinghe Gunawardena ( si, දිනේෂ් චන්ද්ර රූපසිංහ ගුණවර්ධන, ta, தினேஷ் சந்திர ரூபசிங்க குணவர்தன; born 2 March 1949) ...
(Chairman), Minister of Foreign Affairs
*
Suganthie Kadirgamar, Senior Partner, Valoremjuris
* Kosala Wickramanayake, President, International Business Council
*
Professor
Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an Academy, academic rank at university, universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, ''professor'' derives from Latin as a "person who pr ...
Rohan Gunaratna
Rohan Gunaratna (born 1961) is a Sri Lankan born political analyst specializing in international terrorism. He is the Director General of thInstitute of National Security Studies Professor Gunaratna has over 30 years of academic, policy, and op ...
, former Head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research,
Nanyang Technological University
The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a national research university in Singapore. It is the second oldest autonomous university in the country and is considered as one of the most prestigious universities in the world by various inte ...
*
Major General
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...
Milinda Peiris
Major General (retd) Milinda Peiris RWP RSP USP VSV LOM ndc psc was the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army. Major General Milinda was appointed as Vice Chancellor (VC) of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) on January ...
, former
Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army
*
Professor
Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an Academy, academic rank at university, universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, ''professor'' derives from Latin as a "person who pr ...
Deshabandu
Deshabandu ( si, දේශබන්දු, translit=dēśabandu; ta, தேசபந்து, translit=Tēcapantu, translation=Patriot) is the third highest Sri Lankan honours system, national honour awarded in Sri Lanka. It is awarded "for me ...
Kapila Gunawardana, Professor of
Obstetrics and gynaecology
Obstetrics and Gynaecology (also spelled as Obstetrics and Gynecology; abbreviated as Obs and Gynae, O&G, OB-GYN and OB/GYN) is the medical specialty that encompasses the two subspecialties of obstetrics (covering pregnancy, childbirth, and t ...
,
University of Peradeniya
The University of Peradeniya ( si, පේරාදෙණිය විශ්වවිද්යාලය, ta, பேராதனைப் பல்கலைக்கழகம்) is a Public research university, public university in Sri Lanka ...
Experts
LKI has a core team of internationally-credentialed researchers and experienced operations staff, headed by the Executive Director, Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, a specialist in Economics who was educated at Oxford.
LKI’s work is facilitated by dedicated support staff and several interns.
Funding
LKI receives funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, a small but growing endowment and from revenue from its venue hire facilities, known as the Lighthouse at LKI. The Institute has also received financial and in-kind support from leading private companies and institutions, some of which include the following:
*
MJF Group (Dilmah Tea)
*
Expolanka Holdings PLC
*
Hemas Holdings PLC
*
J. Walter Thompson Sri Lanka
*
John Keells Holdings PLC
*
Lanka Business Online
Lanka Business Online (also commonly shortened LBO) is an online business news publisher based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Founded in 1998, it is currently one of the most popular English-language online business news website in Sri Lanka. The website ...
In accordance with its commitment to research independence, the Kadirgamar Institute appoints its research staff, determines its research agenda, and publishes its research and recommendations without the prior approval of its financial supporters.
See also
*
Lakshman Kadirgamar
Sri Lankabhimanya Lakshman Kadirgamar, President's Counsel, PC ( ta, லக்ஷமன் கதிர்காமர்; si, ලක්ෂ්මන් කදිර්ගාමර්, 12 April 1932 – 12 August 2005) was a Sri Lankan lawyer ...
*
Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute
Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) is the institute in Colombo where Sri Lanka Overseas Service officers are trained. The Institute functions under Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategi ...
References
External links
Official websiteLakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute Of International Relations And Strategic Studies
Foreign policy and strategy think tanks
Think tanks based in Sri Lanka
Think tanks established in 2006
Foreign relations of Sri Lanka
Research institutes in Sri Lanka