By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
Sri Lanka: The Unsinkable Power in the Indian Ocean
More than just a teardrop on the map — Sri Lanka is the pivot point of Asia’s most strategic sea.
Location, Location, Location
Sri Lanka’s geography isn’t accidental — it’s geopolitical destiny.
Smack in the middle of the Indian Ocean, just below India’s southeastern tip, Sri Lanka sits like a jewel at the crossroads of East and West, Asia and Africa, ancient trade and modern strategy.
It’s not just a small island. It’s the plug at the neck of the bottle called the Indian Ocean.
That means one thing: whoever understands Sri Lanka, controls the flow.
Maritime Highway: The Silk Route Goes Wet
More than 60,000 ships pass by Sri Lanka annually, including two-thirds of global oil shipments.
This puts the island right in the path of:
- The Strait of Malacca–Suez Canal trade route
- Indian Ocean fiber optic and undersea cable routes
- The shipping artery between China, India, Africa, and Europe
Ports like Colombo and Hambantota are now global chess pieces — not just local harbors.
Global Powers, Local Turf
Here’s the game board:
- China built Hambantota Port (on a 99-year lease) and invests via the Belt and Road Initiative
- India watches nervously and invests in Trincomalee and energy corridors
- U.S. sees Sri Lanka as a key Indo-Pacific partner (with defense agreements on the table)
- Japan, Australia, and EU want a piece of stability in the sea
Sri Lanka is the sea bride everyone wants — but not everyone trusts.
Energy and Trade Security
Sri Lanka could be:
- A fuel bunkering hub
- A deepwater port for transshipment
- A logistics base for multinational corporations
With the Port City Colombo project (a Chinese-funded financial district built on reclaimed land), Sri Lanka is setting itself up as the “Singapore of South Asia” — if it plays its cards right.
Military Watchtower
India has always seen Sri Lanka as its southern shield.
The U.S. sees it as part of its Indo-Pacific containment strategy.
China sees it as part of its String of Pearls — ports across the Indian Ocean to protect its trade lifelines.
Sri Lanka itself? It just wants peace… and leverage.
Fun fact: During the Cold War, both the U.S. and USSR tried to gain influence here. Today, it’s round 2 — with more players and better satellites.
Cyber, Cables, and Connectivity
Sri Lanka is not just sitting atop shipping lanes — it’s also sitting over fiber optic cables, satellite tracking paths, and subsea infrastructure.
This makes it a cybersecurity focal point — and a target for digital espionage and infrastructure deals.
Some say, “data is the new oil.” Well, Sri Lanka sits on both routes.
Diplomacy by Distance
Sri Lanka plays a careful game of non-alignment, balancing old friendships with new opportunities.
It joined China’s Belt & Road.
It courts Indian investments.
It collaborates with the U.S. on maritime security.
It signs deals with Japan and seeks EU trade privileges.
It’s like a neutral player hosting a poker game — with the world’s biggest economies at the table.
Strategic Insight: Why Should You Care?
If you’re an investor, strategist, or even a curious tourist — knowing Sri Lanka’s role in the Indian Ocean opens your eyes to the hidden battles and quiet ambitions shaping Asia’s future.
Sri Lanka is not a side show.
It’s a front-row seat.
Final Thought: A Small Island with a Big Shadow
Don’t let size fool you.
Sri Lanka may be small on a map, but in the grand game of Indian Ocean geopolitics, it casts a shadow larger than most continents.
It’s not just tea and temples.
It’s trade routes and treaties.
It’s spies and satellites.
It’s soft power, leveraged hard.
Welcome to Sri Lanka, the unsinkable aircraft carrier of the Indian Ocean.
Watch it closely.
About the Author
John is an entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of JS Morlu, LLC, a Virginia based CPA firm with multiple software ventures including www.FinovatePro.com, www.Recksoft.com and www.Fixaars.com . With operations spanning multiple countries, John is on a mission to build global infrastructure that empowers small businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. He believes in hard truths, smart execution, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. When he’s not writing or building, he’s challenging someone to a productivity contest—or inventing software that automates it.
