Sri Lanka Rejects Claims Of US Pressure Over Iranian Vessels

COLOMBO (News 1st): Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath says the Sri Lankan Government makes decisions while safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, independence and neutrality.

He also stressed that the government is prepared to intervene whenever humanitarian needs arise.

The Minister made these remarks while responding to reports concerning Iranian vessels currently located beyond Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.

Minister Herath said around 47 vessels are currently in the waters surrounding Sri Lanka, all beyond the country’s 12-nautical-mile territorial limit.

He said approximately 19 of these vessels are Iranian and noted that they have been in the area for some time.

The Minister rejected reports that the United States had pressured Sri Lanka to provide food or water to the Iranian vessels.

He said the United States had neither made such a request nor exerted any pressure or intervened in the matter.

Minister Herath also dismissed claims that Sri Lanka was being subjected to external pressure, saying the government would not compromise the country’s sovereignty or neutrality.

He noted that Sri Lanka had intervened on humanitarian grounds when an Iranian vessel came under attack.

He added that the Boushehr vessel currently in Trincomalee remains under Sri Lankan care, with 13 crew members on board, and stressed that there had been no US pressure or intervention in this regard.

The Minister further said that if the United States has imposed sanctions on certain vessels, the Sri Lankan Government does not transport or supply goods to those sanctioned vessels.

He said private-sector entities providing goods or services to such vessels have a responsibility to understand the circumstances and act accordingly.

Minister Herath stressed that Sri Lanka conducts its affairs in accordance with international maritime law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.