Colombo rejected requests from both Iran and the United States to use its ports and airports, claimed Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a revelation that adds a new dimension to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking in Parliament, Dissanayake said that simultaneous requests from both countries were declined in order to prevent the conflict from spilling into Sri Lanka.
“If permission was granted, then we would be blamed for picking one over another. Granting permission would bring the Middle East war to Mattala and Colombo. We avoided that,” he said.
According to Dissanayake, three Iranian Navy vessels initially sought approval on February 26 for a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka from March 9 to 13. On the same evening, the United States requested clearance for two fighter jets to land at Mattala International Airport.
Dissanayake said that Sri Lanka rejected requests from the United States to land the two military aircraft originating from Djibouti on March 4 and 8.
“We want to maintain our neutrality despite many pressures. We won’t give in. The Middle East war poses challenges but we will do everything possible to remain neutral,” he said.
The developments come in the aftermath of the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena on March 4 just a few miles off the Sri Lankan coast, by the United States. Dozens of Iranian sailors were killed.
Dissanayake told Parliament that after the attack on the first Iranian vessel, another ship requested entry to Colombo citing engine trouble.
“We are only able to provide assistance for 24 hours per regulations. Beyond that, the vessel would have come fully under our responsibility. Once that happened, we instructed the crew to disembark, though they insisted on remaining onboard,” he said.
He added that 206 sailors were brought to a Sri Lankan Navy facility, while injured personnel were treated and the bodies of deceased sailors were preserved.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that requests from multiple countries involved in the conflict had been denied where they did not comply with international law or the island’s policy of neutrality.
Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha stated that requests for extended stays by military vessels could not be permitted.
“The requests made for a prolonged stay at Sri Lankan facilities could not be allowed due to international law and the country’s principles of neutrality,” he said.