Sri Lanka refused permission for two US warplanes armed with anti-ship missiles to land at Mattala International Airport, asserting its commitment to neutrality amid rising Indian Ocean tensions.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament that US aircraft from Djibouti requested entry on March 4 and 8. He said Sri Lanka rejected both requests to maintain neutrality despite international pressure.
The US recently struck Iranian naval vessels near Sri Lanka’s southern coast. On March 4, the Iranian frigate Iris Dena was torpedoed off Galle, killing 84 sailors, while 32 survived. Two days later, another Iranian ship, the Iris Bushehr, sought entry into Colombo port with 219 sailors. Authorities diverted the vessel to Trincomalee, where 204 sailors are now housed at a naval facility.
Dissanayake’s announcement followed his meeting with US Special Envoy Sergio Gor. They discussed safeguarding sea lanes, securing ports, strengthening trade ties, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific. The president emphasised that Sri Lanka will resist external pressures and continue efforts to remain neutral in the unfolding conflict.
