Sri Lanka’s Minister Bimal Rathnayake continued to defend his government’s ties with Israel as international condemnation over its ongoing assault on Gaza continues, with Colombo sending hundreds more workers to the country this month.
“If Sri Lanka suddenly ends ties with Israel, the economy will crash,” claimed Rathnayake.
“It will also result in several Sri Lankan migrants currently employed in Israel losing their jobs. We cannot do this. Sri Lanka will act like several countries, including Saudi Arabia, China, and Russia, who stand with Palestine but continue ties with Israel for diplomatic and economic purposes,” he said.
“We believe in an independent Palestinian State and an Independent Israel State. Sri Lanka considers them as two separate Governments. As such, Sri Lanka will have to continue with political and economic ties with Israel,” he continued.
His remarks came as it was announced a further 692 Sri Lankans received jobs in Israel. A group of 177 workers left for Israel on May 19 and 20.
Earlier this year, Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Israeli government, which saw 6,092 Sri Lankan workers have secured employment in Israel’s construction sector, with 1,018 already departing in 2025.
The decision to strengthen labour ties comes despite Israel’s military assault on Gaza, where over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
In March 2024, Sri Lanka even opened a new consulate in Haifa, one of Israel’s major trade and industrial hubs, further cementing diplomatic and economic ties. A week later, Sri Lankan and Israeli officials discussed new trade opportunities in the gem, jewellery, cinnamon, and agricultural sectors.
