Amidst intensifying hostilities, Sri Lanka’s attempt to maintain a neutral stance in the war between the United States and Iran has become a vital test of its foreign policy. Last week, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in the Parliament that military assets of any party involved in the West Asia conflict are not welcome in the country.
During his address, Dissanayake added that in late February this year, the Sri Lankan government refused permission for two US fighter jets to land at Mattala airport. Furthermore, a request by three Iranian naval ships to dock in the country was also denied.
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The President also mentioned declining support for a Bahraini proposal at the United Nations against Iran, as it was one-sided. This comes in the backdrop of the US attack on the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, in which Sri Lanka rescued 32 sailors. Additionally, the country also took control of another Iranian warship, IRIS Busher, and is looking after its crew, Dissanayake added. The government has insisted that its actions were guided by international law and humanitarian principles.
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Sri Lanka fears getting in trouble amid Iran-US war
In a recent interview, Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the country's approach to the West Asia conflict is driven by three pillars: impartiality, prevention of conflict, and regional security. In other words, the minister firmly declared that the island nation will not assist any party involved in the war, and also not act in a way that favors a single side. Moreover, it will also not allow its territory to support any belligerent side.
Herath added that this is why Colombo declined the requests of both Iran and the US. He said that approving one would have made it much harder to refuse the other, The Diplomat reported. According to a UN press statement, around "140 Member States co-sponsored the resolution." Sri Lanka was among a few states that resisted alignment. Claiming neutrality, it could not endorse a text that singled out one camp in an escalating regional war.
Sri Lanka cannot displease the US
Since gaining independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has been neutral. A key reason behind this is that the country was largely overlooked by several superpowers. From day one, Sri Lanka has been an economically weak and militarily vulnerable country. It cannot afford to risk antagonizing any country. Notably, the United States remains the single biggest market for Sri Lankan exports. Consequently, it fears that displeasing Washington would lead to severe consequences.
Alienating Gulf nations may prove costly
Sri Lanka also cannot afford to alienate the Gulf countries, at a time when they are being targeted by Iran. Its nationals are spread across Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, while many work in Israel.