File photo: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has assured that his country will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for activities that threaten India's security, reiterating Colombo's commitment to a strict non-aligned foreign policy amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict.Addressing a public gathering at Nikaweratiya in Sri Lanka's Northwestern Province on Sunday, Dissanayake said the country would not permit hostile actions against its neighbour.“Our seas, our land would never be allowed to be used for any hostile act against our neighbour India,” he said, according to news agency PTI.Recalling his government's foreign policy record over the past two years, Dissanayake said Sri Lanka would continue to follow a non-aligned approach and would not take sides in military conflicts.“We are not a nation of any military capabilities, so we would not become party to any military conflict,” he said.
Sri Lanka rejects requests from US, Iran
Dissanayake said Sri Lanka had rejected requests from both the United States and Iran amid the ongoing conflict between the two sides.He said Colombo had denied permission for US aircraft to land in Sri Lanka and also turned down Iran's request to send warships.“But we won’t hesitate when asked for humanitarian assistance,” the Sri Lankan president said.
In March, Sri Lanka provided hospital care to sailors from an Iranian vessel that was struck by a US submarine.
India, Sri Lanka reaffirm security cooperation
Dissanayake's latest remarks follow a meeting with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Colombo last month, during which the two sides discussed their broad partnership, including cooperation on regional safety, security, peace and prosperity.During the meeting, Dissanayake reiterated that Sri Lanka would not allow its territory to be used for activities inimical to India's security interests.Singh, who was on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, also conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's greetings to Dissanayake and congratulated him on completing two years in office.The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to working together as close neighbours and maritime partners for the development and welfare of their people, while supporting regional security.Dissanayake's latest statement reiterates Colombo's position that its territory and airspace will not be used for hostile activities against India, while maintaining its stated policy of staying out of military conflicts.