War upon our shores - Namal calls Indian Ocean the new global economic highway, warns of global system collapse

Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa spoke at WION’s World Pulse summit on Wednesday, March 18, highlighting that the global system is changing significantly. He remarked, “Global institutions are being tested like never before.” Rajapaksa emphasized the importance of the Indian Ocean in the world economy, stating it has never been “a zone of conflict; it was a bridge between civilizations.” He explained that it “connected societies rather than dividing them,” adding that now the “Indian Ocean has become one of the most important economic highways in the world.” He noted that “Sri Lanka, located at the center of sea routes, holds one of the most strategic positions in the Indian Ocean.” During his keynote speech, Namal Rajapaksa, the son of former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, discussed the long-standing relationship between India and Sri Lanka. He said, “More than 2,000 years ago, the teachings of Lord Buddha traveled from India to Sri Lanka. That journey was not just the spread of philosophy. It was the start of a deep civilizational relationship that still shapes our society today.” He pointed out that trade routes connect the two countries' ports, and cultural exchanges have influenced their traditions. Over the centuries, he noted, the people have built a strong bond that remains one of the strongest in the Indian Ocean region. Rajapaksa referred to the Indian Ocean as “one of the most important economic highways in the world,” stating that “when these highways are threatened, the consequences are felt across the entire globe.” The former Minister of Youth and Sports highlighted that recent global events show how fragile stability can be. He pointed out that “tensions in the Middle East continue to influence energy markets and global security” and insisted that “the stability of the Indian Ocean has become critical.” He warned that with turmoil affecting the global community, “war has reached our shores as well.” Rajapaksa concluded by emphasizing, “The ocean has shaped our past and will shape our future…it is the responsibility of our generation,” underscoring the importance of the ocean for Sri Lanka and beyond.