Unveiling the Complexities of Defence Spending, Archaeology, and Modern Slavery in Sri Lanka

 Sri Lanka, a strategically located island nation in the Indian Ocean, is grappling with numerous socio-political challenges, including the misallocation of national resources, the manipulation of historical narratives, and widespread human rights violations. Among these, three interconnected issues stand out: excessive defence spending, the politicisation of archaeology, and modern slavery. These pressing concerns not only reflect state priorities but also underscore the marginalisation of minority communities and the broader structural injustices that persist in the country. This article aims to examine these issues, focusing on how Sri Lanka’s disproportionately high military expenditure serves as a smokescreen for deeper, more troubling issues.

1. Defence Expenditure: A Hidden Crisis

 

Despite being an island nation with limited external security threats, Sri Lanka allocates a staggering proportion of its national budget to defence. According to the 2025 Appropriation Bill, nearly LKR 442 billion, or 9.6% of the total LKR 4,616 billion national budget, has been designated for the Ministry of Defence (Sunday Times, 2025). This is strikingly disproportionate when compared to other countries with much larger populations and more complex geopolitical situations.

Looking at GDP-based defence spending, Sri Lanka’s defence budget is around 4.3% of its GDP, which is considerably higher than other countries that face greater external threats. For instance, India, with a population of over 1.4 billion and complex border disputes, allocates approximately 2.4% of its GDP to military expenditure. Pakistan, facing persistent regional tensions and a larger military apparatus, spends around 3.7% of its GDP on defence. Bangladesh, with a population of 170 million and facing security threats from its neighbours, allocates about 1.2% of its GDP to military spending (India Ministry of Defence, 2024; Pakistan Ministry of Defence, 2023; Bangladesh Ministry of Defence, 2024).

Despite Sri Lanka being an island nation with minimal external security threats, its military spending far exceeds what would be expected from a country of its size and geopolitical position. The excessive military allocation raises serious concerns about the government's prioritisation of military strength over social development, and the potential misuse of funds for political consolidation and human rights violations.

2. Archaeology and Militarisation: The Weaponisation of History

Sri Lanka’s Department of Archaeology is officially under the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. However, recent years have seen an increasing military involvement in archaeological activities, particularly in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, areas with significant Tamil and Muslim populations. This development has raised alarms about the politicisation of archaeology and the weaponisation of history.

Heritage sites in these regions, many of which are crucial to the cultural identity of Tamil and Muslim communities, are being reinterpreted through a Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist lens. The deployment of military forces to oversee excavation sites—ostensibly for preservation—has led to accusations that archaeology is being used as a tool of ethnic mobilisation rather than academic inquiry.

This militarisation of culture risks not only rewriting Sri Lanka’s historical memory but also marginalising the island’s diverse ethnic and religious communities. According to the International Crisis Group (2023), the increasing involvement of the military in archaeological projects threatens to deepen ethnic divisions, further entrenching the conflicts that have plagued Sri Lanka for decades. By controlling historical narratives, the state continues to suppress minority voices, perpetuating post-conflict trauma rather than fostering reconciliation.

3. Modern Slavery: A Hidden Humanitarian Crisis

Modern slavery remains one of Sri Lanka’s most urgent yet overlooked human rights crises. According to the 2023 Global Slavery Index, approximately 139,000 individuals in the country are estimated to live in conditions of forced labour, debt bondage, or human trafficking (Walk Free Foundation, 2023).

One of the primary drivers of modern slavery in Sri Lanka is exploitative foreign employment schemes. Unscrupulous recruitment agencies often deceive vulnerable citizens—especially women and rural youth—promising lucrative job opportunities abroad, only for many to find themselves trapped in abusive conditions in the Middle East, East Asia, and Europe. These workers frequently face exploitative contracts, physical abuse, and lack of legal protection.

Despite being aware of these abuses, Sri Lankan authorities have failed to implement effective preventive measures. Digital platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp are routinely exploited to circulate fraudulent job advertisements, and enforcement of anti-trafficking laws remains weak. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (2022) has repeatedly highlighted the government’s inadequate response to this crisis and its failure to protect vulnerable workers abroad (Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, 2022).

4. A Call for Structural Reform

Addressing the intertwined crises of defence spending, cultural militarisation, and modern slavery requires more than surface-level reforms. A fundamental transformation in governance is needed, one that prioritises transparency, equity, and justice. The following key recommendations should be considered:

Re-evaluate Defence Spending: The government should conduct independent audits of the defence budget, introduce public consultations on military expenditure, and implement clear reporting mechanisms to ensure that funds are allocated appropriately and transparently.

Demilitarise Civil Institutions: Particularly in the realms of archaeology and cultural heritage, Sri Lanka should demilitarise civilian institutions and prioritise inclusivity and diversity in preserving the country’s history. Civilian leadership should replace military oversight in these sensitive areas to prevent political manipulation of historical narratives.

Combat Modern Slavery: Sri Lanka must strengthen its legal frameworks and enforce regulations to combat human trafficking and modern slavery. This includes regulating recruitment agencies, providing legal recourse for victims, and building stronger protections for migrant workers through international cooperation.

Promote Inclusive Heritage Narratives: Sri Lanka must ensure that its cultural history is preserved without erasing the identities of minority communities or manipulating history for political purposes. This requires a more inclusive approach that acknowledges the contributions and experiences of all communities on the island.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka stands at a critical juncture in its post-conflict recovery, facing not only the economic and social challenges of rebuilding but also the deep-rooted issues of governance and human rights abuses. The government’s disproportionate defence spending, the militarisation of archaeology, and the exploitation of vulnerable citizens through modern slavery all point to a broader problem of systemic impunity and structural injustice.

To address these issues, Sri Lanka must re-evaluate its priorities and take meaningful steps toward transparency, equity, and accountability. Only through comprehensive reform can the country hope to achieve true reconciliation and a more just society. International actors, including civil society organizations like Small Drops, must continue to raise awareness and press for change, while supporting domestic efforts to hold the government accountable. With sustained advocacy and international pressure, Sri Lanka can pave the way for ethical governance and social equity, ensuring that its future is shaped by justice, rather than entrenched divisions and abuses.

References

1.  Sunday Times (2025). Appropriation Bill – Sri Lanka’s Defence Budget. Retrieved from Sunday Times

2. Ministry of Defence, India (2024). Annual Defence Budget. Retrieved from https://mod.gov.in/

3. Ministry of Defence, Pakistan (2023). Defence Budget Overview. Retrieved from https://mod.gov.pk/

4. Ministry of Defence, Bangladesh (2024). Defence Budget. Retrieved from https://www.mdn.gov.bd/

5. Global Slavery Index 2023. Walk Free Foundation. Retrieved from https://cdn.walkfree.org/content/uploads/2023/09/07191559/GSI_Snapshot_SriLanka_v5-1.pdf

6. International Crisis Group (2023). Sri Lanka: An Ethnic Mobilisation in Archaeology. Retrieved from https://www.crisisgroup.org/

7. Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (2022). Challenges in Enforcing Anti-Trafficking Laws. Retrieved from https://www.hrcsl.lk/

Balananthini Balasubramaniam (Nila Bala)

08:45

19 Apr 2025

United Kingdom

(Disclaimer: Images are AI generated and are used for representational purposes only)

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