Sri Lanka, Feb. 26 -- Have you ever heard Sri Lanka described as a middle power? For too long, as academics, policy makers, practitioners and people in Sri Lanka, we have internalized the perception that we are a small state. 'Smallness' however is a relative measurement.

We measure 'small' in relation to what we believe as 'big'. In traditional measurements of power capability of states, factors such as the size of the geography, population, economy and the military capability were known as the central powers that can buy 'influence'.

In this measurement, no doubt, we are 'small'. But, looking at it from other measurements, such as the welfare facilities for people, democratic values, governance styles, natural resources etc, one can...