Daijiworld Media Network - Colombo
Colombo, Mar 20: Sri Lanka has refused permission for two US warplanes to land at Mattala International Airport earlier this month, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake asserting the country’s commitment to neutrality amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Addressing Parliament on Friday, Dissanayake said the requests came on March 4 and 8 from US aircraft stationed in Djibouti, a key maritime hub near the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Both requests were denied.
“They wanted to bring in two warplanes armed with anti-ship missiles from Djibouti to Mattala International Airport and we said no,” he said, underlining Colombo’s intention to avoid being drawn into ongoing conflicts.
The president stressed that Sri Lanka would not yield to external pressure. “We want to maintain our neutrality despite many pressures. We won’t give in. The Middle East war poses challenges, but we will do everything possible to remain neutral,” he added.
The remarks came a day after Dissanayake met US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor, where discussions focused on safeguarding sea lanes, port security, trade ties, and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Despite diplomatic engagement, Sri Lanka signalled it would resist any move that could compromise its non-aligned stance, particularly as tensions escalate across the Indian Ocean region.
The decision follows a recent maritime incident off Sri Lanka’s southern coast. On March 4, a US submarine reportedly torpedoed the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Galle, killing 84 sailors, while 32 others were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy. The vessel was said to be returning from a naval exercise in India.
In the aftermath, another Iranian vessel, IRINS Bushehr, carrying 219 crew members, sought entry into Colombo port but was redirected to Trincomalee. Of the crew, 204 sailors were accommodated at a naval facility near Colombo after being granted temporary visas.
The developments have sparked debate within Sri Lanka over maritime security, international norms, and the risks faced by smaller nations amid major power rivalries.
Officials have also pointed to the economic impact of the broader conflict, including disruptions to fuel supplies, remittances, and tourism—key sectors for the island nation.
Sri Lanka’s refusal to allow US military aircraft to land highlights its cautious balancing act as it seeks to protect sovereignty while navigating an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.