The Foreign Policy of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Abstract

Subsequent to the extremist suicide bombing on Easter Sunday 2019, national security became the key priority in Sri Lanka. In the meantime, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Defense Secretary and the Secretary of the Urban Development Authority, was elected as the seventh Executive President of Sri Lanka. Majority feared that Sri Lanka would lose its sovereignty by signing the Millennium Challenge Corporation agreement during the presidential election campaign Thus, Gotabaya Rajapaksa should pay close attention to the implementation of his foreign policy. Accordingly, this research will look at what are the potential challenges to the implementation of his foreign policy. However, as stated in his manifesto, it has been pledged to choose Sri Lanka as the basis of a friendly, non-aligned foreign policy. He has emphasized that he is committed to safeguarding Sri Lanka's sovereignty by making direct decisions and not by favoring powerful states. It is further stated that regional countries have friendly relations with SAARC countries and BIMSTEC countries to obtain investment in developing Sri Lanka. The research is based on both primary and secondary data and the policy statement of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. It depends on both qualitative and quantitative data. The research problem of this research is whether the non-aligned as stated in the policy statement will achieve national security and development in Sri Lanka. This research will be explained in detail what method he uses and how he deals with foreigners. This research is primarily used to analyze the image in the minority communities towards Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It is highlighted in the North-East election results. The main challenge facing him is the resettlement of the war displaced and what will happen to MCC. He also stated that the 99 years Hambantota port lease was a mistake made by the previous government and that he intends to renegotiate with China. The Geneva Human Rights Council and the Tamil Diaspora are key factors in his foreign policy making. He visited to India for two days on his maiden voyage, while protesting a pro-LTTE group called Vaiko.