Sri Lanka Maintains Neutrality Amid Middle East Conflict, Rejects US Refuelling Request

Sri Lanka has maintained a strict policy of neutrality in the Middle East conflict.

“Sri Lanka’s policy of neutrality in the ongoing Middle East conflict reflects both principle and pragmatism, while positioning the country to play a wider diplomatic role, the Asian Geopolitics Sustainability and Peace Council has said in a statement”

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The Council noted that Sri Lanka declined a US request to provide refuelling access for warplanes.

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When an Iranian vessel was sunk within Sri Lanka's maritime economic zone, the Sri Lankan navy rescued sailors.

The Council described this stance as both principled and pragmatic.

The Council argued that Sri Lanka's demonstrated neutrality presents an opportunity to revive its historic diplomatic tradition.

It cited past initiatives including Jayewardene's 1951 speech and the 1952 rubber-rice pact.

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The Council warned that if the Middle East war spreads, it will exacerbate the looming global recession.

Experts feel that humanity is closer to nuclear catastrophe than ever before.

The Council called on Sri Lanka to urge the Global South to call for a lasting cessation of hostilities.

“The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced the death of a peacekeeper and the serious injury of another after a projectile exploded at a site under its custody near Adshit al-Qasir in southern Lebanon”

Al-Jareedah Ash-Sharq

Individual nations cannot force the warring powers to negotiate, but collectively they carry weight.

Neutrality should not mean silence.

Sri Lanka has been a leading voice of moderation at world forums.