Sri Lanka’s Communist Party launches a fiery campaign demanding the reversal of India’s 51% stake in Colombo Dockyard Ltd, calling it a dangerous strategic encroachment on sovereignty. With India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders now linked to the military-industrial complex, activists warn of regional militarization and loss of autonomy over vital maritime assets.
The Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) has issued a strong call to action, urging the public, trade unions, and civil society organizations to unite in resisting the reported acquisition of a 51% controlling stake in Colombo Dockyard Ltd by India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, an entity owned by the Indian Ministry of Defence.
In a public statement titled “Hands off our sovereignty: Colombo Dockyard must remain Sri Lankan,” CPSL General Secretary Dr. G. Weerasinghe condemned the deal, calling it not just a commercial transaction but a strategic encroachment on Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and maritime autonomy.
Dr. Weerasinghe emphasized that Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, a cornerstone of India’s military-industrial apparatus responsible for building submarines and warships for the Indian Navy, is using this acquisition as a gateway to bolster its geopolitical ambitions in the Indian Ocean region. Colombo Dockyard, situated on one of the busiest maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean, plays a critical role in Sri Lanka’s maritime economy. Beyond commerce, it is vital for national security and industrial development. Known for its advanced shipbuilding expertise—particularly in fast attack craft, Colombo Dockyard remained profitable until the country’s economic downturn in 2022.
The CPSL warned that allowing a foreign military-affiliated company to control this strategic facility effectively hands over a pillar of national sovereignty. They argued that the US$52.9 million purchase price although small in comparison to the annual national budget was less a genuine investment and more a covert infiltration of strategic infrastructure. The party contextualized this move within India’s expanding influence in Sri Lanka, referencing joint projects in Colombo, Trincomalee, and Kankesanthurai, alongside secretive military pacts and contentious port deals.
The CPSL demanded an immediate and complete reversal of the Colombo Dockyard transaction, calling for full state control to be reinstated. They also called for transparency around all agreements signed with India concerning ports and military cooperation. Furthermore, the party pushed for legislative reforms to prevent future foreign military-linked takeovers of national strategic assets.
The CPSL concluded with a warning that Sri Lanka risks becoming a pawn in broader regional power struggles unless it firmly reclaims control over its critical infrastructure. “Our sovereignty is not for sale,” the party affirmed.
