Sri Lanka’s Low Terror Threat Recognized by Global Terrorism Index 2025
Sri Lanka has been ranked by the Global Terrorism Index 2025 as having one of the lowest terrorist threats globally, sharing a GTI score of zero with 63 other nations. The country, aided by its armed forces, achieved significant stabilization since the end of the civil conflict in 2009. However, the GTI also highlights a troubling rise in global terrorist activity, particularly in Western nations. Concurrently, domestic security challenges, exemplified by a recent serious incident involving a female doctor, remain a pressing concern for authorities and lawmakers.
The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 has categorized Sri Lanka as one of the countries with the lowest terrorist threat globally. According to Dr. Wasantha Bandara of the National Patriotic Movement, Sri Lanka ranks 100th out of 163 countries, sharing a GTI score of zero with 63 other nations. Notably, the country also shares this ranking with Bhutan in the South Asian region, attributable to the efforts of its armed forces and police which restored stability after years of conflict.
Dr. Bandara remarked that the significant victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May 2009 laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s current low threat level, despite the GTI’s inception occurring later in 2012. The GTI, which assembles data from sources including TerrorismTracker, has tracked over 73,000 terrorist incidents from 2007 to 2024, underscoring the effectiveness of national defense mechanisms.
Despite improvements, recent data indicates an overall rise in global terrorist incidents, with figures increasing from 58 to 66 countries experiencing attacks. Alarmingly, the West saw a 63% surge in such activities, particularly in Europe where incidents doubled. Furthermore, it is noted that a significant proportion of suspects arrested for terrorism are teenagers, prompting calls for more stringent addressing of this growing issue.
Dr. Bandara also emphasized the need for vigilance following the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019, stating that prior intelligence had been available but was not effectively acted upon. He urged caution against complacency and the portrayal of Sri Lanka as a country susceptible to terrorism, especially given the backdrop of ongoing war crime allegations being directed towards it by various factions.
In related discussions, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala confirmed the identification of a military deserter as the prime suspect in the alleged rape of a female doctor. The incident raised significant concerns about safety in hospitals, prompting calls from political leaders for more stringent laws and accountability measures against such crimes. The attack sparked immediate outrage from the medical community, leading to strikes demanding justice.
Furthermore, Transport Minister Bimal Ratanayake acknowledged that landowners impacted by the Ruwanpura Expressway project continue paying land rates despite government acquisition. The Minister indicated plans to compensate these landowners by the end of the year, highlighting the need for collaborative support from parliament and local governance structures to rectify ongoing financial burdens on citizens.
The recent findings from the Global Terrorism Index showcase Sri Lanka’s significant progress in reducing terrorist threats, ranking it alongside nations with minimal terrorist activity. Concurrently, the increase in global terrorism, particularly in Western countries, underscores the need for vigilance. Additionally, the response to domestic security concerns reveals the ongoing challenges faced in ensuring safety within public institutions, necessitating robust measures and collaborative governance.
Original Source: island.lk
