Pathfinder Foundation

01/06/2026

Securing the Indian Ocean – Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference, Perth, Australia

Defence West and the Western Australian State Government, in partnership with the Perth US-Asia Centre, convened the Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference (IODS) in Perth, bringing together naval chiefs, ministers, and international experts to discuss regional security, AUKUS cooperation, and maritime partnerships.

The panel on “Securing the Indian Ocean” focused on maritime cooperation, freedom of navigation, supply chain risks, and regional maritime governance.

Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, Distinguished Fellow of the Pathfinder Foundation, participated as a panellist and highlighted the strategic challenges faced by smaller littoral states like Sri Lanka in balancing security, sovereignty, and major power competition.

He emphasized the importance of strengthening defensive maritime capabilities, promoting multi-alignment over bloc alignment, and diversifying international partnerships to avoid dependency on any single power. He also noted the need for smaller states to lead on maritime governance issues such as anti-piracy, environmental protection, and maritime security cooperation.

01/06/2026

From Friendship to Dependency – Analysing Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy Making Towards China

Dr. Bhagya Senaratne has released her latest book examining Sri Lanka–China relations from 1994–2025, based on nearly three years of research.

The book discussion featured Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, Distinguished Fellow of the Pathfinder Foundation, who participated as a panellist representing the Foundation. He shared insights on China’s role in Sri Lanka’s post-war development and major infrastructure projects including ports, highways, and power generation.

He highlighted how Sri Lanka’s development needs aligned with China’s expanding overseas engagement, resulting in significant infrastructure cooperation.

01/06/2026

The Pathfinder Foundation was pleased to host Mr. Thomas Payne, First Secretary at the British High Commission Colombo, for a productive discussion on bilateral cooperation and future engagement opportunities, with Executive Director Dr. Dayaratna Silva and the PF team.

19/05/2026

The overarching goal of the Colombo Maritime Dialogue was to strengthen China–Sri Lanka maritime cooperation within a broader regional framework, balancing security imperatives with development priorities. The dialogue focused on enhancing mutual understanding of maritime challenges, promoting development-oriented collaboration in areas such as infrastructure, fisheries, marine environmental protection, and the blue economy, and integrating security and sustainable economic growth approaches.

It also sought to diversify the discourse by incorporating complementary perspectives and generating tangible outputs such as policy briefs and recommendations to guide future bilateral and regional initiatives. The collaboration between Pathfinder Foundation and Sichuan University, established in 2017 through an MoU, continues to serve as a strong platform for academic cooperation, policy dialogue, and strategic engagement.

19/05/2026

The Colombo Maritime Dialogue, jointly organized by the Pathfinder Foundation and the China Centre for South Asian Studies (CCSAS) of Sichuan University, was held on 13th and 14th May 2026 at the Conference Room of the Pathfinder Foundation. The dialogue aimed to provide a structured platform to examine interconnected maritime issues, develop shared perspectives, and identify opportunities for cooperation, contributing to a more inclusive and multipolar discussion on the future of the Indian Ocean.

The inaugural session was graced by His Excellency Qi Zhenghong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka. Opening remarks were delivered by Amb. (Retd.) Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman of Pathfinder Foundation, and Prof. Yan Shijing, Vice Chairman of Sichuan University Council. Rear Admiral S. R. Rupasena, Director General–Training of the Sri Lanka Navy, also attended representing the Ministry of Defence. Keynote speakers included Admiral Prof. (Retd.) Jayanath Colombage and Prof. Huang Yunsong.

15/05/2026

Pathfinder Foundation April 2026 Highlights!

11/05/2026

🇰🇷🇱🇰 Pathfinder Foundation hosted H.E. Miyon Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, at its monthly Ambassador’s Roundtable for a discussion titled “Pop goes Korea: Public diplomacy and the making of the K-initiative.” The session explored Korea’s transformation from a war-devastated country into a leading global economy and cultural power, highlighting the role of public diplomacy, democratisation, economic reform, digitalisation, and global integration in advancing the Korean Wave.

Ambassador Lee also discussed Korea’s public diplomacy strategy, its cultural initiatives in Sri Lanka, and opportunities to strengthen Sri Lanka–Korea cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The interactive discussion covered governance, policy continuity, foreign investment, migrant workers’ rights, regional security, reconciliation, and youth entrepreneurship. Participants appreciated the Ambassador’s insights into Korea’s development experience and its relevance to Sri Lanka’s economic and institutional transformation.

07/05/2026

Sri Lanka’s Manufacturing Moment - By Pathfinder Foundation Foundar Milinda Moragoda

The global manufacturing landscape is undergoing a radical transformation, shifting from national production to complex geoeconomic networks where strategy, finance, and technology converge. ..

04/05/2026

Milinda Moragoda meets Indonesian Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing to discuss collaboration opportunities

Founder of the Pathfinder Foundation, Milinda Moragoda, met with Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Dewi Gustina Tobing, to explore avenues for collabo-ration with the Pathfinder Foundation.

The discussion underscored Indonesia's global and regional signifi-cance as the world's fourth most popu-lous country, the largest economy in ASEAN, and an important member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Indonesia's grow-ing role in the Indo-Pacific-particular-ly in economic development, maritime connectivity, and regional stability-was also highlighted.

Pathfinder Foundation regularly convenes conferences and dialogues focused on the Indian Ocean region, of which Indonesia is an especially impor-tant partner given its strategic location, economic weight, and leadership role within ASEAN. Both sides expressed interest in strengthening engagement through Moragoda with Ambassador Tobing
joint events, policy dialogues, and knowledge-sharing initiatives aimed at fostering closer ties across the Indian Ocean community.

29/04/2026

Between fear and opportunity: Sri Lanka’s India dilemma - By Pathfinder Foundation founder Milinda Moragoda

Sri Lanka is once again at a moment of crisis - shaped by economic uncertainty, energy insecurity, and the aftershocks