Sri Lanka will remain neutral during ongoing Middle East conflict – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated today that Sri Lanka will maintain a neutral position regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. During a media briefing at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on the evening of the 5th, he emphasized that Sri Lanka will not take sides in the dispute between the United States and Iran. However, he mentioned that the government will continue to meet its international responsibilities and take necessary humanitarian actions. The President highlighted the importance of cooperation from all parties to achieve global peace. In relation to another Iranian vessel near Sri Lanka's territorial waters, President Dissanayake confirmed that 208 people on board a second Iranian ship are currently being brought to Colombo. He stated that this vessel will be taken to Trincomalee Harbour. The President also urged all parties to avoid using the current situation for selfish political purposes. During the media briefing, he remarked, “In light of the Middle East conflict and any international disagreement, our neutral stance means we will not allow our land, maritime areas, or airspace to be used in a biased way by any country involved in the conflict, nor in any way that causes harm to another nation.”