Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI)

What Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI) does

The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) is a private, non-profit foreign policy think tank headquartered at 24 Horton Place, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka. Founded in 2006 and named after the late Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar, a former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister assassinated in 2005, LKI conducts independent, non-partisan research and policy analysis on Sri Lanka's international relations and strategic interests, with thematic coverage spanning global governance, the global economy, regional cooperation, and security affairs.

LKI's product portfolio is organized into three pillars: a research publication series (Policy Briefs, Takeaways, Spotlights, Working Papers, Annual Reports, and Explainers), a convening and events program (the LKI Foreign Policy Forum, Roundtable Discussions, Panel Discussions, Memorial Lectures, and Speeches), and supplementary offerings including the LKI Library digital repository and Lighthouse Auditorium venue hire. The institute has no commercial software, SaaS, or technology platform; all outputs are human-authored research and in-person convening services.

LKI's revenue model is undisclosed but consistent with non-profit think tank operations: a combination of government funding, grants, and support programs. Distribution is anchored by deep institutional ties to Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (whose minister chairs LKI's Board of Management), complemented by academic partnerships (e.g., University of Ruhuna), bilateral track-II engagements (US-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, India's Gateway House), and free digital distribution through the lki.lk website. The institute employs approximately 26 staff organized into research, executive leadership, and operations functions.

Name

Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI)

Legal name

The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI)

Website

https://lki.lk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI) is a Colombo-based non-profit think tank conducting independent research on Sri Lanka's international relations, serving government, academic, and diplomatic audiences through policy publications, flagship events, and track-II convening.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foreign Policy Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), International Affairs (928120), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

Keywords

• Foreign policy research
• International relations
• Strategic studies
• Policy analysis
• Diplomatic research

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

LKI is a foreign policy think tank that conducts independent research on Sri Lanka's international relations and strategic interests and disseminates it through publications (Policy Briefs, Takeaways, Spotlights, Working Papers, Annual Reports) and event programs (Foreign Policy Forum, Roundtables, Panel Discussions, Memorial Lectures). It also operates a digital library and rents out the Lighthouse Auditorium for external events. Its principal audiences are government/diplomatic, academic, and policy stakeholders.

Product overview

The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute operates as a single unified think tank offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Its portfolio consists of research publications (Policy Briefs, Takeaways, Spotlights, Working Papers), event programs (Foreign Policy Forum, Roundtables, Memorial Lectures), knowledge resources (Library), and venue hire services. There are no commercial software products, SaaS offerings, or technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Policy Briefs Research publications analyzing foreign policy issues relevant to Sri Lanka's international relations and strategic interests, intended for government, diplomatic, academic, and policy audiences.
• Takeaways Concise summaries of key insights from LKI research and events on international affairs, intended for government, diplomatic, academic, and policy audiences.
• Spotlights Focused analytical pieces on current regional and global developments affecting Sri Lanka, intended for government, diplomatic, academic, and policy audiences.
• Working Papers In-depth academic research papers on international relations and strategic studies, intended for researchers, academics, and policy practitioners.
• LKI Foreign Policy Forum Flagship event series bringing together diplomats, policymakers, and academics to discuss foreign policy issues, intended for government, diplomatic, academic, and policy stakeholders.
• LKI Roundtable Discussions Expert consultations and closed-door discussions on specific policy topics, intended for invited diplomats, policymakers, and academics.
• Memorial Lectures Annual memorial lectures honoring Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar and featuring distinguished international speakers, intended for government, diplomatic, academic, and policy audiences.
• LKI Library Digital repository of LKI publications, research materials, and resources on foreign policy, intended for researchers, students, and policy professionals.
• Venue Hire Rental of LKI's conference facilities including the Lighthouse Auditorium for external events, intended for organizations hosting conferences, lectures, and other functions.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered moderate and core.

• University of RuhunamoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2025LKI engages with the University of Ruhuna's Department of Public Policy through guest lectures, research presentations, and distribution of policy briefs. The collaboration aims to support teaching of International Relations and Foreign Policy in Sri Lanka and increase interaction between the academic community and foreign policy practitioners.
• Gateway House (India)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2024Gateway House is an Indian foreign policy think tank. LKI hosts visits from Gateway House fellows including Senior Fellow Amit Bhandari for discussions on energy, investment, and connectivity matters relevant to India-Sri Lanka relations.
• US-Sri Lanka Fulbright CommissionmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2024The US-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission plays a pivotal role in fostering educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Sri Lanka. LKI engages with the Commission to facilitate knowledge transfer among mid-level professionals, strengthen bilateral ties, and support development goals in education, governance, and economic growth.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri LankacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLKI collaborates closely with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on events, research initiatives, and policy discussions. The Minister of Foreign Affairs serves as Chairman of LKI's Board of Management, and the Ministry co-organizes events such as the 15 Years of Dialogue: Sri Lanka-SCO Partnership conference.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gateway House: An Indian foreign policy think tank focused on international relations and strategic studies, particularly India-Sri Lanka and broader Indian Ocean affairs. LKI explicitly partners with Gateway House, and they share a comparable mandate around regional policy research and convening diplomatic discussions.
• Institute of Policy Studies Sri Lanka (IPS): A leading Sri Lankan economic and public policy research institute. While its primary focus is economic policy rather than foreign affairs, it is a domestic peer think tank serving the same Sri Lankan policy community with research and publications.
• Observer Research Foundation (ORF): One of India's leading foreign policy and international affairs think tanks, producing research on South Asian security, diplomacy, and global governance. Highly comparable in mission, audience, and publication-based research output, though ORF operates at significantly larger scale.
• Verité Research: A Sri Lanka-based policy and research firm producing analysis on governance, trade, and public policy. Comparable as a domestic Sri Lankan policy research peer that publishes accessible research for similar policy and academic audiences.
• Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA): An Indian think tank focused on international relations and foreign policy, with close institutional links to the Indian government. Highly comparable in model as a state-affiliated foreign policy research institute serving diplomatic and academic audiences in South Asia.

Broad incumbents

• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: One of the largest and oldest US-based foreign policy think tanks, with global programs covering international affairs, regional security, and economic policy. Directly comparable as a peer think tank serving diplomatic and policy audiences, though LKI is significantly smaller and geographically narrower.
• Brookings Institution: A major US-based public policy think tank with substantial international affairs, governance, and economic research programs. While much larger and broader in scope, it serves the same kind of policy-research and convening function that LKI does at the national level.
• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): A globally recognized UK-based international affairs think tank, conducting independent research and convening high-level policy discussions. Comparable in its research-and-convening model aimed at foreign policy audiences and government stakeholders.
• International Crisis Group: An international conflict-prevention think tank that produces research and policy recommendations on global conflicts, including South Asia. Comparable as an internationally focused research and policy advisory organization with deep government relationships.
• Atlantic Council: A major US-based international affairs think tank producing research on geopolitics, security, and economic policy. Comparable in the foreign-policy research-and-convening space, though operating at much larger scale and with global reach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/the_lki
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCTh_VD6TctrE24GFQzu85BQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/1ELYbcvDd2
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lakshman-kadirgamar-institute-lki
• Instagraminstagram.com/the.lki

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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