RT.com
20 Mar 2026, 17:59 GMT+10
Washington asked for permission to land warplanes on the island March 4 and 8, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has told parliament
Sri Lanka refused to provide ground access to two US fighter jets earlier this month, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has told parliament.
Washington asked for permission to land the warplanes on the island on March 4 and 8, Dissanayake said on Friday.
"They wanted to bring in two warplanes armed with eight anti-ship missiles from a base in Djibouti to the Mattala International Airport and we said no," the Sri Lankan president told parliament.
"We want to maintain our neutrality despite many pressures. We won't give in. The Middle East war poses challenges but we will do everything possible to remain neutral."
Sri Lanka also refused a request by three Iranian ships to go to the country on a goodwill visit, he said.
The statement comes a day after Dissanayake met with US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor. The Sri Lankan leader posted on X that he conveyed the South Asian nation's stance on the Middle East conflict to Gor.
Earlier this month, Sri Lanka said it allowed an Iranian warship to dock in theport of Trincomalleeand rescued its 208 crew members, a day after the US sank another Iranian vessel off the island nation's coast in an attack that killed at least 87 sailors.
The unarmed Iranian ship was returning from a naval exercise hosted by India. The US action was widelycondemnedfor flouting international maritime norms.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Malaysia Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Malaysia Sun.
More InformationNEW DELHI, India: India will prioritise domestic fuel demand as it reviews requests from neighbouring countries for supplies, approving...
KATHMANDU, Nepal: Seven Indian pilgrims were killed and nine others injured when a bus they were traveling in skidded off a mountain...
Washington asked for permission to land warplanes on the island March 4 and 8, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has told parliament...
New Delhi [India], March 20 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday expressed deep condolences following the death of an...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 20 (ANI): The 24th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) has unveiled its...
(260320) -- BANGKOK, March 20, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Anutin Charnvirakul gives a speech during a ceremony held at the Bhumjaithai Party...
AUDLEM, England: A sharp fall in milk prices, driven by oversupply, is pushing UK dairy farmers toward losses, with many warning that...
NEW DELHI, India: India will prioritise domestic fuel demand as it reviews requests from neighbouring countries for supplies, approving...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets closed lower on Thursday, as investor sentiment was rattled by devastating attacks on oil and...
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Amazon is expanding its ultra-fast delivery offerings across U.S. cities, introducing 1-hour and 3-hour shipping...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Citigroup has lowered its 12-month price forecasts for bitcoin and Ethereum, citing stalled progress on U.S....
SINGAPORE/KARACHI: Asian utilities are increasingly turning to coal-fired power to manage rising energy costs and secure supply, as...
