12/08/2026
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐. ๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐ค๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐. ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฏ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐
The โProfessor Shelton U. Kodikara Memorial Orationโ organized by the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS), in collaboration with the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS), was held on 8 August 2026 at the BCIS auditorium. Commemorating the pioneer of the study of International Relations in Sri Lanka and the founder of the RCSS, the event featured a keynote address by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and the Memorial Oration delivered by globally renowned scholar Professor Amitav Acharya. It, brought together friends and family of the late Professor, diplomats, public officials, academics, policymakers, other distinguished invitees and students of international relations.
At the commencement, a floral tribute was offered in memory of Prof. Kodikara by his son Mr. Dilip Kodikara, a Founder member of the RCSS Board of Directors, and a commemorative video reflecting the legacy of Prof. Kodikara was presented.
In her keynote address, the Chief Guest, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Chairperson/BNMF and BCIS Council of Management, recalled that Prof. Kodikara was not merely an academic, but a leader of Sri Lankaโs national intellectual identity. Noting that in much of our post-independence history, our foreign policy was practiced in what may be called a void of academic expertise where the praxis of diplomacy prevailed over scholarship, she said Prof. Kodikara changed that by becoming the first Professor of International Relations at the University of Colombo, and through his involvement with the BCIS since its inception in 1974. While the international environment remains unforgiving to smaller states, she highlighted the continuing relevance of Prof. Kodikaraโs work in confronting the foreign policy challenges of Sri Lanka, the region, and the broader โGlobal Southโ. In this regard, she drew attention to the significance of the Fifth Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, held in Colombo in 1976 chaired by Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the 50th anniversary of which is being commemorated on 16 August 2026. Recalling its vision of an international order in which nations could determine their own destinies without domination, she stressed that the principles associated with the Bandung conference and the Non-Aligned Movement, including sovereign equality, peaceful coexistence, non-interference and the right to development, are even more relevant today. Noting that the established international order has been โmade to stand on its headโ, she said the Global South is increasingly compelled to translate the traditional principle of non-alignment into contemporary approaches of strategic hedging and multi-alignment, as states seek to protect their national interests amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Delivering the Shelton U. Kodikara Memorial Oration, Prof. Amitav Acharya, Distinguished Professor of International Relations at American University, Washington, D.C., and UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance, began by reflecting on Prof. Kodikaraโs contribution as a pioneer of International Relations scholarship in South Asia and an institutional builder. Drawing a parallel with his own longstanding effort to broaden the discipline beyond its traditional Eurocentric and American-centric focus, Professor Acharya presented key arguments from his latest book, The Once and Future World Order: Why Global Civilization Will Survive the Decline of the West. He argued that world order is not the monopoly of any single nation, civilization, or region, but a shared creation that has evolved through the experiences and interactions of societies over several millennia. He demonstrated how ideas associated with international order such as sovereignty, diplomacy, political participation, economic relations, humanitarian values and peaceful coexistence, have developed across different civilizations, both independently in response to common challenges, and through trade, cultural exchange and the diffusion of ideas. Focusing on the theme - โWhat Comes after US Hegemonyโ he cautioned against viewing contemporary international change simply as a transition from Western to non-Western dominance, arguing instead that the decline of Western primacy creates an opportunity for a more plural configuration of global power. He moved beyond Multipolarity, describing a new โGlobal Multiplexโ, envisaging a more decentred, polycentric and pluralistic international order, in which influence is distributed across great powers, middle and regional powers, international organizations and non-state actors, rather than being concentrated. He suggested that such a perspective not only offers a more accurate understanding of the historical development of world order, but also provides a basis for thinking about how global governance can evolve in an increasingly diverse and interconnected international system.
A question-and-answer session followed the Oration, with participants raising questions on the future of humanitarian values amid growing geopolitical tensions, the implications of shifting global economic and political power, the reform of international institutions, the governance of the Indian Ocean, and the consequences of growing fragmentation within the West. Responding to these questions, Prof. Acharya argued that the persistence of humanitarian principles remains important even where states fail to uphold them, cautioning that their erosion would risk greater disorder in international affairs. He called for global institutions, including the United Nations, to better reflect contemporary distributions of power and for more innovative forms of regional and public-private cooperation. On the Indian Ocean, he emphasized its historically plural and open character, arguing that its geography and disconnectedness make domination by any single power neither feasible nor desirable. Addressing the fragmentation of the West, he noted that the transition away from the established order could generate instability in the short term, while stressing the importance of institutional resilience, restraint and the development of a more plural global order.
In her welcome remarks, the Executive Director of the BCIS Ms. Priyanthi Fernando described Professor Kodikara as a legend, and recalled how as a dedicated lecturer at the BCISโ he would travel to Colombo from Kandy just to conduct a class. She said, in an age where we are using hybrid, online modes to reach wider audiences, and where the acquisition of knowledge has often become secondary to the acquisition of certificates or diplomas, the example of Professor Kodikaraโs commitment to international relations scholarship needs to be remembered and emulated. Noting that the BCIS programme of public events gives one the opportunity to go beyond classrooms and engage with diverse views on different issues relating to global politics and international relations, she said students would be privileged to listen to a scholar whose writings form part of essential reading for courses.
Earlier, introducing the orator, the Executive Director of the RCSS Ambassador (Retd.) Ravinatha Aryasinha emphasized Professor Acharyaโs invaluable contribution to Global International Relations, observing that his research has reshaped how we understand the world order, international norms and the Global South. He added that few scholars from the region have contributed as extensively, while continually re-interpreting the changing dynamics of the international system. He recalled his own association with Professor Kodikara dating back to his time as a postgraduate student at BCIS, Amb. Aryasinha re-affirmed the RCSSโs commitment to research, dialogue and policy advocacy, and said the presence of the full range of local, regional and global constituencies that were influenced by Prof. Kodikaraโs work - including RCSS Alumni and participants at the ongoing International Studies Association (ISA) South Asia conference being held for the first time in Sri Lanka, was a fitting tribute to the Kodikara legacy.
While RCSS Accounts and Administration Officer Ms. Ruwani Morawaka received the guests, RCSS Research/Programme Officer Ms. Maheshi Thellamurege hosted the proceedings. Delivering the vote of thanks RCSS Research/Programme Officer Mr. Shayan Peris expressed appreciation to Professor Amitav Acharya for honoring Prof. Kodikaraโs memory through an intellectually engaging oration, and to former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for her participation and reflections. RCSS Research/Programme Officers Ms. Thedini Herath and Ms. Chamika Wijesuriya presented the latest in-house research studies in the RCSS Policy Studies series to the special guests.
