The Sri Lankan government will make decisions regarding Iranian vessels currently located in waters close to the country based on the safety and security of the people, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.
Speaking during the weekly Cabinet media briefing today (6), Minister Jayatissa said the government would carefully consider the potential implications for Sri Lanka before taking any decision concerning the vessels.
The statement comes amid reports that the United States has warned Sri Lanka that the country could face sanctions if it provides assistance or facilities to Iranian vessels located near Sri Lankan waters.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the US Embassy in Sri Lanka had conveyed the warning to the Sri Lankan government, with US officials reportedly making the request in recent weeks.
According to the report, the vessels have remained stranded for several days amid US sanctions and have made distress calls seeking food and other assistance. However, local shipping agents have reportedly said they cannot provide services without government authorization.
Responding to questions on the matter, Minister Jayatissa said Sri Lanka would not make decisions based on pressure from either side, but would instead prioritize the country's national interests and the safety of its people.
He noted that the vessels were not within Sri Lanka's territorial waters, which extend 12 nautical miles from the country's coastline, but were located in international waters in the Indian Ocean.
“At a time when there is a military situation and various issues are emerging around the Strait of Hormuz, such vessels can be found in different parts of the region,” the Minister said.
He added that the warnings issued by the United States were not directed at Sri Lanka alone, but reflected the broader US position concerning countries that may provide assistance to Iran.
“The United States is also representing one side of this war. As a country, it is communicating its position to countries around the world that secondary sanctions could be imposed if such supplies are provided,” Jayatissa said.
He acknowledged that Sri Lanka must take the possibility of secondary sanctions into consideration, but stressed that the government's primary concern would remain the country's security and the welfare of its people.
The Minister also referred to Sri Lanka's approach during the country's previous armed conflict, saying the government had avoided taking sides even during the most difficult periods of the war.
“Both sides requested facilities from us, but we intervened solely on humanitarian grounds,” he said, adding that the government's objective had been to protect human life regardless of which side of the conflict a person belonged to.
Minister Jayatissa reiterated that Sri Lanka would similarly adopt a cautious and balanced approach in the current situation.
“We are thinking about the security of our country and our people, and we will act accordingly,” he said.
