Sri Lanka rejects US request to station warplanes, citing neutrality

Sri Lanka has refused a request from the United States to station two military aircraft at a civilian airport in the island’s south, citing its policy of neutrality amid the ongoing regional conflict.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament on Friday, March 20, that the request, submitted by Washington on February 26, sought permission to deploy two warplanes equipped with eight anti-ship missiles from a base in Djibouti to Mattala International Airport between March 4 and 8.

“They wanted to bring two warplanes armed with eight anti-ship missiles from a base in Djibouti to Mattala International Airport from March 4 to 8, and we said ‘no’,” Dissanayake said.

He explained that the decision was made to preserve Sri Lanka’s neutrality and prevent its territory from being used for military purposes that could support either side in the conflict.

On the same day the US request was received, Iran submitted a separate request seeking permission for three of its warships, returning from naval exercises in India, to dock in Colombo between March 9 and 13.

“We were still considering the Iranian request to bring the three ships to Colombo from March 9 to 13. Had we said ‘yes’ to Iran, we would have had to say ‘yes’ to the US too,” Dissanayake told lawmakers. “But we didn’t. We are steadfastly maintaining our position of neutrality,” he added, drawing applause in the 225-member parliament.

The island nation was nevertheless affected by the conflict. On March 4, US forces torpedoed the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena just off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, killing at least 84 sailors. The Sri Lankan navy rescued 32 survivors.

A second Iranian vessel, IRIS Bushehr, entered Sri Lankan waters the following day amid concerns over the safety of its 219 crew members, who have since taken shelter in Colombo.

Sri Lanka maintains close ties with both the United States—its main export market—and Iran, which is a key buyer of Sri Lankan tea.

By Tamilla Hasanova