• US extends theatre of war to Indian Ocean region
• Yet, no protest from SL
• Mild concerns carefully worded not to offend US, Israel, India
• No country named
• No condemnation of assassination of a leader by foreign forces
• Speedy action to stop gas/petrol queues
• Another slip of tongue - hunduwa

The Israel-Iran war has entered its second week with sustained air strikes, expanding missile exchanges, and rising casualties across the Middle East (ME), transforming what began as joint US–Israeli operations against Iran into a widening regional conflict.

Sri Lanka, though far away from the theatre of war, received a bitter taste of it when the American forces attacked an Iranian warship in the hitherto peaceful Indian Ocean, thus shocking the littoral Nations as well as peace loving people in the world committed to keeping the commercial sea lanes safe. 

“Iran thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo. Quiet death," proudly claimed by US War Secretary Pete Hegseth. He has the audacity to say that it was the first time that such a warship was destroyed in the Indian Ocean since World War II. The American submarine attack on the Iranian warship resulted in the death of over 100 sailors. Acting swiftly, the Sri Lanka Navy rescued 32 Iranian sailors and brought them to the Galle National Hospital, after the ship was sunk 40 nautical kms away from the Sri Lankan coast. This incident proved the crisis could affect the countries far away from the theatre of war with its far-reaching military, economic and strategic consequences. For Sri Lanka, the country that proposed the resolution in the UN to keep the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace, it was a major challenge to its peaceful and neutral foreign policy.

It is essential for Sri Lanka and other littoral nations to lobby those countries as well as countries keen to keep the Indian Ocean free for commercial freight to collectively raise a voice at international forums against the blatant violation of the UN Charter by the US.

Surprisingly, Sri Lanka delayed a policy announcement on the ME crisis and the assassination of Iran’s Spiritual Leader, thus confirming its departure from decades of non-aligned diplomacy. Obviously, Sri Lanka is recalibrating its foreign policy to align more closely with strategic partners in India and the US, reshaping its role amid intensifying great-power competition in the Indian Ocean region. Furthermore, growing friendship between India and Israel has caused Sri Lanka to take a cautious line in spelling out its concerns.

Deepening ties with India

Over the past year (2025), Sri Lanka has deepened its ties with India, a neighbour with which it shares historical, cultural, and economic bonds. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised that Colombo will not permit its territory to be used in ways that could threaten Indian security, a strong signal of cooperation amid regional uncertainty. 

In April 2025, the two countries signed a major defence cooperation pact, institutionalising military and maritime collaboration after decades of wary relations since the Indian Peace-Keeping Force era of the 1980s. The Government has been cautious on disclosure of the full contents, stating that certain details require mutual approval. 

Simultaneously, Colombo has opened channels with the US, seeking deeper economic linkages and strategic engagement. In late February 2026, the US Embassy in Colombo publicly outlined expectations for two-way foreign direct investment and trade flows as a foundation for broader cooperation. 

The current defence collaborations with India and the US have an unsettling effect on Sri Lanka’s delicate balancing act, particularly given China’s longstanding financial and infrastructure presence. 

Domestically, the policy shift has sparked debate among political parties and analysts about national sovereignty, economic dependency, and the future direction of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several others demanded Sri Lanka’s strong condemnation of the US attack on Iran and the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader and Opposition Parliamentarian, attorney Rauff Hakeem has expressed condolences over the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader and strongly condemned what he described as a unilateral US-Israel military strike on Iran. 

The Government however, is not ready to take notice of the Opposition’s counsel. Addressing the Parliament, President Dissanayake made a cautious announcement, selecting his words with extreme care. He expressed an ardent desire for an end to the conflict, but assured that the Government would also make preparations to face the worst scenario. But, he refrained from mentioning the killing of the Iranian Supreme Leader and nor did he name any party involved in the conflict.

The President’s speech displayed that Sri Lanka has adopted a diplomatic neutrality stance, calling for de-escalation and peace while asserting that the country does not condone war, highlighting diplomatic engagement with all parties. Sri Lanka does not approve of war in any form and stands firmly for world peace. President Dissanayake urged the warring parties to stop the war and ensure global peace.

By stressing the fact that the conflict would impact world peace, regional stability and the global economy, the Government seems to have carefully observed the Indian policy on the ME crisis and given due consideration to close relations with India as well as the US before deciding on the official response. 

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz will severely disrupt global energy supplies. Roughly 20 per cent of global oil supplies pass through the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman. Any disruption could trigger sharp increases in crude prices and heighten fears of broader escalation.

Although Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa claimed that the next few supply ships come from Singapore and India, the fact remains that disruptions to supply lines, especially when the Strait of Hormuz is closed, would inflate energy costs and strain foreign exchange reserves. 

Gas/Petrol queues disappeared

Swift action by the authorities succeeded in avoiding a repeat of past fuel queue chaos. By speeding up fuel distribution and through repeated public reassurances, the crisis was averted.

After the recent escalation in the ME raised fears of global oil shortages, panic buying resulted in long queues to buy fuel. Stories of queues lasting several hours spread quickly through social and local media, despite officials insisting that there was no real shortage. However, speedy action to restore normalcy saw the queues diminishing within a couple of days.

Both the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation confirmed that Sri Lanka’s petrol and diesel stocks are sufficient for several weeks of consumption, and encouraged motorists to avoid hoarding. 

Authorities have been careful not to impose formal rationing systems like the quick response code fuel pass used in previous crises, as they judge the current supply situation manageable without restrictive quotas. However, the current respite on fuel supplies could be a temporary relief as the situation could change if the conflict continues.

A conflict still expanding

The Israel-Iran war has evolved from targeted strikes into a broad regional confrontation involving missile exchanges, cross-border air raids, maritime attacks and military casualties on multiple fronts.

Both sides, US President Trump as well as the new Iranian leadership council are steadfast on the policy of continuous military offensives. With a leadership transition underway in Tehran, continued US and Israeli operations, Iranian retaliation across the Gulf and increasing global diplomatic involvement, the trajectory of the conflict remains uncertain.

Expatriate Lankans in ME

The Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry continues to maintain close contact with Sri Lankan diplomatic missions across the ME and the Gulf region.

All missions have activated 24-hour emergency hotlines. A 24-hour Emergency Operations Centre remains operational at the Foreign Employment Bureau.

Sri Lankans in affected countries have been advised to follow official announcements, avoid non-essential travel and maintain contact with Sri Lankan missions. No major impact on Sri Lankan nationals has been reported so far.

Stranded tourists

The Government has granted a free 14-day visa extension to foreign tourists currently in Sri Lanka who may face travel disruptions due to ME airspace closures.

Authorities are coordinating with airlines to explore alternative routes to facilitate departures and maintain tourism flows through alternative transit points.

Hunduwa - A slip of tongue

The identity of a Nation is not measured by catchy disparagements flung across social media or recycled in fringe political circles. Yet recently, an unfortunate and reckless phrase by President Dissanayake suggesting that Sri Lanka is nothing more than a Hunduwa (a small capacity measurement unit) has made rounds among commentators. Whether it was spoken in jest, ignorance, or political opportunism, the effect has been the same: it diminishes Sri Lanka’s rich, centuries-old heritage and insults millions of proud citizens.

While several notable loudmouths of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National People’s Power Government may put their feet in their mouths every now and then, one notable exception has been President Dissanayake. He deviated from that path only once last year, when he commented that Buddhist pilgrims go to the North with hatred in their minds.

Hence, his reference to Sri Lanka as Hunduwa came as a surprise to many and a God given opportunity to critics. Sri Lanka is a Nation of immense multicultural depth — home to Sinhalese, Tamils, Moors, Burghers, Malays, and myriad religious traditions that weave an intricate social tapestry. To reduce this to a caricature, especially in the service of narrow political narratives, is to betray not only historical fact but common decency.

A leader’s words carry weight. In times when national unity is fragile and social cohesion is sorely needed, language that dehumanises or trivialises the country fuels division rather than dialogue. Our narrative should be authored in a language that honours diversity, recognises resilience, and inspires collective progress. Anything less demeans us all.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication