Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Sri Lanka Pledges Territory Won't Threaten India Amid Conflict
Sri Lanka's president said his country would stay out of the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
He said Sri Lanka would not let its land, sea, or airspace be used to threaten India.
Sri Lanka has a non-aligned policy, which means it does not want to take sides in military conflicts.
Dissanayake said the country rejected requests from both the United States and Iran.
The United States was not allowed to land aircraft, and Iran was not allowed to send warships.
However, Sri Lanka would still help people who need humanitarian care.
In March, it provided hospital care to sailors from an Iranian ship hit by a US submarine.
The president also discussed regional security with India's defence minister during a recent meeting in Colombo.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said Sri Lanka would not let its territory or airspace be used for acts threatening India's security.
He reiterated Sri Lanka's non-aligned policy and said the country would not join a military conflict.
Dissanayake said Sri Lanka rejected US and Iranian requests to support them in the ongoing conflict.
He said Sri Lanka denied the United States permission for aircraft to land and rejected Iran's request to send warships.
Sri Lanka provided hospital care in March to sailors from an Iranian vessel struck by a US submarine.
- Who
- Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
- What
- He said Sri Lanka would not allow its territory or airspace to be used for hostile acts against India and reiterated the country's non-aligned policy.
- When
- Sunday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- A gathering in Nikaweratiya, in Sri Lanka's Northwestern province.
- Why
- Sri Lanka says it seeks to avoid military conflict and protect India's security interests.
- President
- Anura Kumara Dissanayake
- Policy
- Sri Lanka's foreign policy is described as non-aligned.
- Requests declined
- Dissanayake said Sri Lanka rejected requests from the United States and Iran to side with them.
- US aircraft
- Sri Lanka denied permission for US aircraft to land.
- Iranian warships
- Sri Lanka rejected Iran's request to send warships.
- Humanitarian assistance
- In March, Sri Lanka provided hospital care to sailors from an Iranian vessel struck by a US submarine.
- Recent meeting
- Dissanayake met Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Colombo last month.