Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Tuesday, 10 March 2026 00:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the Indian Ocean to remain a zone of peace, urging all parties involved in the ongoing conflict to exercise restraint as tensions rise in waters close to Sri Lanka.
Speaking to NDTV, Premadasa said the Indian Ocean has long been recognised as a peace zone and should not be drawn into military hostilities.
His remarks come amid escalating regional tensions following the sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in international waters off Sri Lanka and the arrival of another Iranian vessel, IRIS Bushehr, which has been permitted to dock in Trincomalee.
The Sri Lankan Government has said it will assist the survivors of the ill-fated IRIS Dena and manage the situation in accordance with international protocols and humanitarian obligations.
Premadasa also called on parties involved in the conflict to halt what he described as “asymmetric warfare,” warning that the widening confrontation could carry serious implications for smaller countries such as Sri Lanka.
He noted that Sri Lanka is still recovering from the severe economic crisis of 2022 and cautioned that the expanding Middle East conflict is already affecting the country and its people.
The Opposition Leader emphasised that restraint by all parties is essential to prevent the conflict from spreading further across the region.
