Sri Lanka has turned down a request from the United States to temporarily station two missile-armed warplanes at its civilian airport in the south of the island. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament that the US wanted to move the aircraft from a base in Djibouti to Mattala International Airport from March 4 to 8.
The president said the government refused the request to keep Sri Lanka neutral and to ensure its territory is not used for military purposes that could benefit or harm any country. He did not specify whether the US planned to use the planes for action against Iran as reported by AFP.
Background: Iranian frigate attack
Sri Lanka’s decision came after a US submarine torpedoed the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near its coast on March 4, killing at least 84 sailors. The attack drew the island into the conflict, highlighting the delicate situation in the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lankan military officials confirmed that the country would not allow its airspace to be used for attacks against any nation, staying consistent with its longstanding foreign policy of neutrality.
Humanitarian efforts: Saving sailors
Despite rejecting military requests, Sri Lanka acted quickly to help those affected by the attack. The navy and air force rescued 32 sailors from the sunken IRIS Dena and recovered the remains of 84 crew members, which were returned to Iran.
The following day, Sri Lanka allowed another Iranian ship, IRIS Bushehr, to enter its waters to protect the 219 crew members, who have since taken shelter in Colombo. A third Iranian ship, IRIS Lavan, safely reached the port of Kochi in south India, with some sailors already returning home. President Dissanayake described this as a humanitarian gesture, emphasizing that Sri Lanka’s actions were focused on saving lives.
Balancing relations between US and Iran
On the same day the US made its request, Iran asked for permission for three of its warships to visit Colombo after returning from a naval exercise in India. The president explained that approving one country’s request would have required approving the other’s, but Sri Lanka chose to say no to both, maintaining strict neutrality.
Sri Lanka also abstained from voting on a recent UN Security Council resolution condemning Iran’s attacks. Dissanayake said the resolution represented only “half the truth” and did not reflect the full story, signaling the country’s commitment to justice and fairness in international affairs.
Sri Lanka continues to maintain strong ties with both countries. The United States is its main export market, while Iran is a key buyer of Sri Lankan tea. By rejecting military requests but helping sailors in need, Sri Lanka has demonstrated its careful balancing of international relations while prioritizing humanitarian principles.
(With AFP Inputs)