Border Security in the 21st Century: Sri Lanka’s Maritime Frontline Challenges and Strategic Importance

1. Introduction

Border security remains a core pillar of national security in a rapidly changing global environment. While borders were traditionally understood as physical lines separating one state from another, today they represent dynamic spaces where nations safeguard sovereignty, regulate mobility, and protect economic, political, and societal interests. For Sri Lanka an island nation positioned at the heart of the Indian Ocean border security is fundamentally a maritime task shaped by strategic location, international law, and emerging non-traditional threats.

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2. Concept of Border Security

Borders define the legal and territorial limits of a state’s authority. Border security refers to all measures taken by the state to protect this territory from external and internal threats. It includes controlling the movement of people, goods, vessels, and information to prevent illegal activities such as:

• smuggling

• drug trafficking

• human trafficking

• terrorism

• arms proliferation

• the movement of CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) materials

As the first line of national defense, border security ensures a state’s sovereignty, economic stability, and public safety.

For Sri Lanka, border security is predominantly maritime. With no land borders and vast ocean zones, the island’s challenges arise from transnational maritime activities. The Indian Ocean’s busy sea-lanes bring both opportunity and risk—making border management a multidimensional task involving law enforcement, diplomacy, technology, and environmental protection.

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3. Sri Lanka’s Strategic Maritime Position

Sri Lanka’s geography is central to understanding its border security priorities. Located at the crossroads of East–West maritime trade, the island lies along vital shipping routes used for global energy and cargo transport. This strategic location offers enormous economic potential but also exposes Sri Lanka to threats such as:

• illegal fishing

• drug trafficking

• human smuggling

• maritime piracy

• potential transit of nuclear or hazardous materials

The Indian Ocean is increasingly viewed as a geopolitical hotspot, making Sri Lanka’s role as a maritime guardian even more significant.

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4. Sri Lanka’s Maritime Zones Under UNCLOS

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) outlines Sri Lanka’s maritime rights and responsibilities across different zones:

a. Territorial Sea (12 nautical miles)

Sri Lanka holds complete sovereignty similar to its land territory. It controls the seabed, subsoil, and airspace.

b. Contiguous Zone (24 nautical miles)

The state can enforce laws related to customs, immigration, taxation, and public health.

c. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, 200 nautical miles)

Sri Lanka holds exclusive rights to explore, manage, and exploit natural resources such as:

• fisheries

• offshore oil and gas

• seabed minerals

This zone is nearly 8 times larger than Sri Lanka’s landmass, making maritime security crucial for economic development.

d. Continental Shelf

Depending on geological criteria, Sri Lanka can extend rights over seabed resources beyond the EEZ, including minerals and hydrocarbons.

These maritime zones provide opportunities, but also require robust surveillance and coordinated management.

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5. Key Challenges in Sri Lanka’s Border Environment

a. Illegal Fishing by Indian Trawlers

One of the most serious issues is the continuous encroachment of Indian fishing vessels, particularly in the northern waters. The narrow Palk Strait, only 16 km wide at the closest point, makes border violations frequent. Bottom trawling destroys marine ecosystems, undermines local fishermen’s livelihoods, and strains diplomatic relations.

b. Smuggling and Transnational Crime

Sri Lanka faces persistent issues with:

• heroin and methamphetamine trafficking

• human smuggling networks

• illegal migration

• wildlife trafficking

• arms smuggling

These crimes often exploit gaps in maritime surveillance and coordination.

c. Fragmented Governance

Border-related duties are divided among:

• Sri Lanka Navy

• Sri Lanka Coast Guard

• Customs

• Immigration and Emigration

• Police Narcotics Bureau

• Fisheries Department

• Port Health and Quarantine Services

As highlighted by scholars like Dr. Sanath de Silva, these agencies often operate independently without shared intelligence systems resulting in reduced effectiveness.

d. Non-Traditional Threats

Modern border security must also address risks like:

• CBRN trafficking

• spread of infectious diseases

• environmental degradation

• maritime terrorism

These threats demand specialized training, technology, and cooperation.

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6. Indo Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Agreements

Sri Lanka resolved many of its maritime boundary concerns through two historic agreements with India:

1. 1974 Agreement – Palk Strait

• Confirmed Sri Lanka’s sovereignty over Kachchativu Island.

• Allowed limited traditional access for Indian fishermen and pilgrims.

• Clarified jurisdiction in surrounding waters.

2. 1976 Agreement – Gulf of Mannar & Bay of Bengal

• Finalized maritime boundaries.

• Clearly defined control over seabed resources.

• Strengthened principles of mutual respect and non-interference.

These agreements provide legal clarity but challenges remain due to ongoing illegal fishing and smuggling across the narrow strait.

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7. Integrated Border Management (IBM) for Sri Lanka

Integrated Border Management is a globally recognized framework emphasizing:

• inter-agency coordination

• shared intelligence databases

• joint operations

• modern surveillance systems

• legal harmonization

• cooperation with regional and international partners

For Sri Lanka, IBM is essential for dealing with both traditional threats (illegal fishing, smuggling) and non-traditional ones (CBRN trafficking, pandemics, cyber risks).

Examples of IBM tools include:

• coastal radar networks

• Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)

• vessel monitoring systems

• satellite-based maritime surveillance

• biometric systems for immigration

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8. Balancing Border Security and Openness

An island state like Sri Lanka must find a balance between:

✔ Facilitating trade, shipping, and tourism

and

✔ Preventing illegal activities and harmful flows

Over-securitization can harm economic growth, while lax controls can encourage crime and exploitation. A balanced approach requires:

• modern technology

• stronger legal frameworks

• efficient port operations

• continuous regional diplomacy

• investment in maritime domain awareness

Modern border security is no longer just about patrolling boundaries; it is about governance, information management, and resilience.

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9. Conclusion

Border security in Sri Lanka is a multidimensional, evolving responsibility shaped by geography, international law, diplomacy, and emerging threats. The island’s vast maritime zones under UNCLOS and its strategic location in the Indian Ocean make border protection a national priority. The Indo–Sri Lanka agreements provide legal clarity, but effective border management requires technology, coordination, and integrated systems.

In the age of globalized trade and CBRNe risks, border security is more than just defending territory it is safeguarding national sovereignty, economic prosperity, and public safety. With a modern, coordinated approach, Sri Lanka can continue to protect its maritime frontiers while contributing to stability in the wider Indian Ocean region.