The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that US secondary sanctions on entities providing supplies or services to US-sanctioned vessels are a global policy measure and do not specifically target Sri Lanka.

The Director General and Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the clarification was issued following several media inquiries over reports that the United States had warned Sri Lanka of possible sanctions if supplies or services were provided to US-sanctioned vessels, especially concerning Iranian ships operating near Sri Lankan waters.

According to Rodrigo, the United States announced the relevant secondary sanctions on August 24, stating that individuals or entities providing services to US-sanctioned vessels could risk losing access to the US financial system.

He stressed that the measures are part of the United States' broader sanctions policy, which applies globally, rather than being directed specifically at Sri Lanka.

Rodrigo noted that vessels affected by such sanctions are not confined to the Indian Ocean and that similar vessels are present in other parts of the world's oceans amid ongoing conflicts and related geopolitical developments.

He also said individuals and companies involved in the shipping and merchant shipping industries are generally aware of the application of secondary sanctions and the potential implications for their businesses.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman therefore noted that local officials have been dealing with the matter with caution, particularly given the sensitivity surrounding conflict between the United States and Iran.