Political analyst Professor Tudor Weerasinghe yesterday (1 March) outlined the potential impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis on Sri Lanka.

Speaking at a media briefing, he noted that global daily oil production stands at around 100 million barrels, with approximately 20% coming from the Middle East. He warned that any disruption to this supply could trigger significant economic shifts, particularly through rising oil and gas prices.

He further highlighted that Sri Lanka’s exports could also be affected. “We export a significant volume of tea to Iran and other Arab countries. Under these circumstances, the conflict could disrupt those activities. Many international flights have already been cancelled. This situation could influence not only the global economy and trade, but also international relations,” he added.