During a meeting with ambassadors from West Asian countries, President Ranil Wickremesinghe reportedly defended Sri Lanka’s decision to join US-led operations aimed at safeguarding merchant vessels from Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea. The President emphasized that this move is not a military alignment with any specific country but a strategic effort to uphold freedom of navigation.
According to a source familiar with the briefing, President Wickremesinghe highlighted the potential global impact of Houthi attacks on merchant vessels, leading to price hikes and affecting Sri Lanka as well. He underscored the importance of securing free navigation in critical maritime routes.
Additionally, President Wickremesinghe affirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to its pro-Palestine policy, advocating for a two-state solution. He reiterated Sri Lanka’s unwavering support for UN resolutions calling for a cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
The West Asian envoys expressed gratitude to Sri Lanka for its support to the Palestinian cause. The attacks by Houthi rebels have specifically targeted commercial shipping vessels navigating through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial link between Asian and European markets, particularly following the October 7 attack by Hamas and the subsequent conflict with Israel.
