Small states adopt various strategies, from non-alignment to seeking ‘shelter’ to secure their interests. Regardless of their foreign policy approach, they usually promote a rules-based order and presence of regional and international organisations to foster non-interference, greater cooperation, sovereignty of states and multilateralism. The growing big power competition in the Asia-Pacific region has placed states such as Sri Lanka at the forefront of these new realities. Despite Colombo’s legacy of non-alignment as a dynamic approach to international politics, successive governments have moved closer to one country or power bloc over another (Kodikara, 1973). The current government led by the National People’s Power (NPP) faces challenges of keeping its pledge of a balanced foreign policy as the country continues to make a gradual and slow financial and economic recovery.