March 20, New Delhi – Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament that the country has maintained a neutral stance in responding to recent requests from Iran and the United States, rejecting allegations of bias.
Speaking a day after meeting US envoy Sergio Gor, President Dissanayake stated that recent agreements with the U.S. on aviation, maritime security, cyber cooperation, and humanitarian aid do not affect Sri Lanka’s stance in any conflict. He described claims that Colombo delayed assistance to an Iranian vessel due to U.S. influence as “baseless and inhumane.”
The President added that both Iran and the U.S. had requested, on February 26, permission to use Sri Lanka’s naval ports and airports, which the government declined in line with its neutral policy.
(Photo Source: @anuradisanayake)