Sri Lanka’s National Security and Counterintelligence Operations

Abstract

Intelligence is a key component pertaining to National Security. Even though intelligence is currently employed in International Relations, it does not imply using the state's power to prevent the foreign espionage efforts. The primary aspect that could be used in this situation to obtain the initiative and stop these foreign espionage attempts is counterintelligence. Counterintelligence refers to efforts taken to protect one‟s own intelligence operations from penetration and disruption by hostile nations or their intelligence services. As this study focuses on Sri Lanka‟s National Security and counterintelligence, operations it emerges how Sri Lanka employs its intelligence agencies to uphold the National Security standards and the contribution of counterintelligence operations to National Security. In Sri Lanka, intelligence operations are a joint effort of Sri Lankan Tri Forces and Police. The State Intelligence Service (SIS) in the Police, the Military Intelligence Corps (MIC) in the Sri Lanka Army, the Department of Naval Intelligence (DNI) in the Sri Lanka Navy, and the Directorate of Air Intelligence (DAI) in the Sri Lanka Air Force are engaged in intelligence as well as counterintelligence in Sri Lanka. The main objective of this research is to identify the intelligence operations, which implies a special focus on counterintelligence operations in Sri Lanka and how it affects to the National Security. The research utilizes a variety of primary and secondary sources including journal articles, news articles, books and as well as the existing researches. This research will fill some gaps in National Security regarding intelligence and aims to provide few information about counterintelligence operations.