Page 6 - MDSL Final

FOREWORD

The present context of maritime domain is changing rapidly mainly due
to; high demand for energy, technological advancement, demographic
shifts and globalisation. Since we are a maritime nation, the importance
of the oceans remains unchanged as we are heavily depending on
maritime trade and commerce.
The Maritime Doctrine of Sri Lanka (MDSL) is the Sri Lanka Navy’s (SLN)
capstone publication. It is a guide to understanding the unique nature
of the SLN’s maritime power and the way in which it can be applied in
pursuit of the national interests. MDSL shapes the broad contours of
employment of maritime power and how the Navy goes about nurturing
a stable environment at sea. Nevertheless, it should not be taken as a set
of rigid rules. Flexibility and judgement, key attributes of naval forces,
should guide the practitioners while interpreting it under a given set of
rules.
The Navy exists to see the security of Sri Lanka at and from the seas.
Further, SLN will enhance to engage effectively in the Indian Ocean
Region in coming years. Therefore, it requires a Navy with the capabilities
to operate effectively with other national institutes and international
navies. MDSL establishes as a guide to steer the proposed development
and employment of SLN for the coming five years.

iii