Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that his country has taken a neutral position regarding the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Speaking in parliament after a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, he dismissed accusations that Sri Lanka was favoring any side in the conflict.

Dissanayake addressed criticism suggesting that Sri Lanka delayed permission for an Iranian ship due to a defense agreement with the United States. He clarified that both Iran and the United States had recently requested permission for their naval vessels to dock in Sri Lankan ports, and the government refused both requests to maintain neutrality.

The president emphasized that rejecting both sides’ requests demonstrated Sri Lanka’s commitment to a balanced foreign policy amid rising regional tensions.