Pathfinder Foundation

Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue Calls for Regional Cooperation to Protect Undersea Cables and Marine Resources The Sixth Bay of Bengal Maritime Dialogue has highlighted the need for stronger regional cooperation to protect critical undersea infrastructure, including submarine communication cables, and address growing maritime security threats and challenges affecting shared marine resources. The two-day dialogue, co-hosted by the Pathfinder Foundation and Switzerland-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), was held at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, bringing together senior officials, diplomats, maritime experts, researchers and regional representatives. Discussions focused on the growing importance of the Bay of Bengal as a major international maritime corridor, with around a quarter of global maritime commerce passing through its waters. Participants highlighted the vulnerabilities of critical undersea infrastructure, particularly submarine cables that carry international telecommunications and internet traffic. They discussed the importance of protecting these vital connections, strengthening regional coordination and improving responses to incidents that could disrupt maritime and digital connectivity. The dialogue also addressed wider maritime security concerns, including geopolitical competition, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, pressure on shared marine resources and the impacts of environmental change. Another key area of discussion was the need to strengthen cooperation among Bay of Bengal littoral states to manage shared maritime spaces, protect marine ecosystems and improve crisis response mechanisms. The second day placed particular emphasis on sustainable fisheries governance, including better data sharing, management of shared fish stocks and measures to prevent illegal fishing and reduce cross-border tensions. A special session titled “From Adoption to Action” brought participants together to identify practical steps to translate previous policy recommendations into tangible regional cooperation. The dialogue’s outcomes will be shared with regional organisations and the governments of Bay of Bengal littoral states. @pathfinderSL @MilindaMoragoda

Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu are both suffering from the growing drug menace 🚨 The Palk Strait should not only be seen as a source of disputes, but also as a space for cooperation. Now is the time for Sri Lanka and India to work together to combat drug trafficking, strengthen maritime security and protect communities on both sides. 🇱🇰🇮🇳 @pathfinderSL @MilindaMoragoda Drug menace is a shared threat for Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka—and a new opportunity By Milinda Moragoda The Print 2026.09.17 A high-level political dialogue between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, supported by the Indian government, followed by a joint mechanism for cooperation would be a useful first step.   The waters of the Palk Strait have long connected India and Sri Lanka, but they have also been a source of tension. Today, they could provide an opportunity for a different kind of cooperation. India and Sri Lanka have a good relationship and maintain a regular political dialogue. Defence, maritime, and economic cooperation have expanded in recent years. The more complicated dimension has historically been the relationship between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. The legacy of the separatist conflict continues to influence that relationship, while the fisheries dispute has periodically created tensions between communities on both sides of the Palk Strait. These are sensitive matters that require patience and political understanding. There is, however, another issue that crosses the Palk Strait and affects both societies: drugs. The growing narcotics problem in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu is a serious challenge. It could also provide an opportunity for cooperation in an area where their interests are fundamentally aligned. Sri Lanka’s drug problem is no longer simply an urban phenomenon. It has spread into communities across the country, including rural areas. Jaffna and the Northern Province, which have had to contend with the long social consequences of the war, are also facing serious concerns about drug use among young people. The emergence of synthetic drugs, particularly crystal methamphetamine, or ice, has added a new dimension to a problem previously more closely associated with heroin and cannabis. Tamil Nadu faces its own substantial challenge. Its large population, transport networks, ports, and proximity to Sri Lanka create vulnerabilities to international trafficking, while the state is also dealing with consumption and addiction within its own communities. The two situations are not identical. But their geography means they cannot be looked at entirely separately. A practical initiative The issue is already receiving attention at the highest political levels on both sides of the Palk Strait. Sri Lanka has made combating the drug menace a national priority, while Tamil Nadu has also intensified its campaign against narcotics. During the recent visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Colombo, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake sought India’s support for Sri Lanka’s efforts against drug trafficking. This creates an opening for a practical initiative. At the highest political levels, Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu could begin a direct dialogue on the narcotics challenge, with the involvement of the Indian central government. A joint mechanism could then bring together relevant authorities from both sides. Read more theprint.in/opinion/drug-men…

“Education, access to knowledge and informed citizens are fundamental to a free society” a key message from a lecture on Thomas Jefferson’s legacy in education and institutions, held in Colombo to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. The event was organised by the Pathfinder Foundation and U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, featuring U.S. Fulbright Specialist Lara Szypszak and LIRNEasia’s Dr. Sujata Gamage. @pathfinderSL @USEmbSL Pathfinder Foundation and U.S. Embassy Commemorate 250 Years of American Independence with Lecture on Thomas Jefferson’s Legacy To mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, the Pathfinder Foundation, in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States of America in Sri Lanka, is hosting a series of lectures on the legacy of America’s Founding Fathers. The first lecture, titled “The Legacy of Thomas Jefferson on Education and Institutions,” was held on Thursday, 10 September 2026, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo. The lecture was the first in a series commemorating the semi-quincentennial anniversary of American independence, exploring the enduring contributions and ideas of the Founding Fathers of the United States and their continued relevance to contemporary society. Thomas Jefferson was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, the group of leaders who helped establish the country and shape its early democratic institutions and principles. Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, and later served as the third President of the United States. A strong advocate for education and the advancement of knowledge, he also founded the University of Virginia and played an important role in the early development of the Library of Congress. Ms. Lara Szypszak, U.S. Fulbright Specialist, was the lead speaker at the event. She explored Thomas Jefferson’s lasting influence on education, institutions and the pursuit of knowledge. She also focused on Jefferson’s role in founding the University of Virginia and his broader contribution to the development of educational and knowledge institutions in the United States. Jefferson’s connection to the Library of Congress was also noted, as the institution’s collection was built in part from his personal collection. The presentation further explored how Jefferson’s legacy continues through the role of libraries and archives as institutions that preserve knowledge, make information accessible, and connect people with educational resources. Ms. Szypszak noted that in the United States, libraries have evolved into important community spaces that support learning, discovery, and public access to information. Jefferson’s most enduring legacy, it was argued, lies not simply in the institutions he helped establish, but in the principle that education, access to knowledge, and informed citizens are fundamental to a free society. Dr. Sujata Gamage, Senior Research Fellow at LIRNEasia and Coordinator of the Education Forum, Sri Lanka, served as a discussant, offering her perspectives and bringing a Sri Lankan and contemporary education-policy dimension to the discussion. Dr. Gamage synthesised her prior work and experience in the United States, commenting on Jefferson's work and the evolution of universities in the United States in relation to the contemporary situation of universities in Sri Lanka and contemporary challenges in higher education. Drawing on the development of the U.S. research university system, Dr. Gamage noted how American universities grew from relatively modest institutions in the 19th century into global centres of research and graduate education, attracting students and scholars from across the world. The presentation was followed by an engaging fireside discussion between the two speakers and an open-floor question-and-answer session, offering participants the opportunity to discuss with the speakers the relevance of Jefferson’s ideas to education

The Pathfinder Foundation hosted a luncheon meeting for U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Dr. S. Paul Kapur in Colombo today, bringing together business leaders, diplomats, policy experts, and key stakeholders. 🇱🇰🇺🇸 Discussions focused on maritime security, regional connectivity, trade, economic developments, and the role of small maritime states in promoting a secure and prosperous Indian Ocean region. @pathfinderSL @MilindaMoragoda Pathfinder Foundation Hosts U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur The Pathfinder Foundation hosted a luncheon meeting for visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Dr. S. Paul Kapur, in Colombo on Monday. The event, hosted by Pathfinder Foundation Founder Milinda Moragoda, brought together leading business figures, heads of diplomatic missions, policy experts, and representatives from key sectors of Sri Lanka’s economy. During the discussion, Assistant Secretary Kapur shared his views on the role of small maritime states in promoting a secure and prosperous Indian Ocean region. Participants also exchanged views on geopolitical and economic developments, regional connectivity, maritime security, trade, and opportunities for enhanced cooperation. The gathering provided a platform for dialogue on emerging regional challenges and opportunities, with discussions focusing on sustainable economic growth, regional stability, and the importance of partnerships and collaboration in the evolving Indo-Pacific landscape. The Pathfinder Foundation said it remains committed to fostering informed dialogue and contributing to policy discourse on issues of national, regional, and global significance. – at Sri Lanka