South Asia Finds Its Voice as SASSRI Takes the Helm
On September 10, 2025, the South Asia Sustainability & Security Research Institute (SASSRI) was officially launched at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, marking a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to unite sustainability and security under one strategic vision. The event gathered an esteemed assembly of ambassadors, defence officials, scholars, policymakers, and private sector leaders from across South Asia and beyond.
With the unveiling of its logo and web platform, SASSRI signaled its readiness to serve as a regional think tank that bridges academic research with real-world policy. In his opening address, Dr. Nirmal De Silva, Board Director, emphasized that SASSRI is designed to be a dynamic, interdisciplinary space fostering evidence-based insights and regional cooperation.
A highlight of the evening was the high-level roundtable co-hosted with Synergia Foundation, India, focused on Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region. Expert panelists — including Prof. P.B. Terney Pradeep Kumara, Ms. Eva Abdulla, and Rear Admiral Monty Khanna (Retd) — examined the intersection of environmental threats, strategic rivalries, and geopolitical shifts affecting the region’s most vital waters.
Symbolic moments such as the signing of three MoUs, the presentation of groundbreaking research on drones and AI in maritime security, and the handover of the book “China: The Hardening State” further anchored SASSRI’s role as a convener of strategic thought and regional collaboration.
With a distinguished board and the upcoming appointment of Colonel Nalin Herath as Executive Director, SASSRI steps confidently into its role — guiding South Asia through the complexities of the 21st century with clarity, cooperation, and resolve.
