AdSense Advertisement

Sri Lanka rejects US request to land fighter jets at airport near Colombo

By The South Asia Times

Colombo - Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday revealed that his country rejected a request by the United States to land fighter jets at an airport near the capital, underscoring the country’s commitment to neutrality amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Addressing parliament, Dissanayake said Colombo received simultaneous requests on February 26 from both the United States and Iran, two days earlier when the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, according to Newswire.

Tehran sought permission for three naval vessels to make a goodwill visit between March 9 and 13, while Washington requested clearance for two military aircraft and later warships to use facilities at Mattala.

“If permission was granted, then we would be blamed for picking one over another. Granting permission would bring the Middle East war to Mattala and Colombo. We avoided that,” the president said.

He clarified that delays in responding were linked to evolving developments, including an incident involving an Iranian vessel that later sought emergency assistance.

Sri Lankan authorities allowed limited humanitarian support under regulations, bringing 206 sailors ashore, treating the injured, and preserving the bodies of those killed.

The president stressed that allowing either side military access would have risked drawing the island nation into a distant conflict, particularly at key hubs such as Colombo port and Mattala airport.

According to a report by The New York Times, U.S. fighter jets in the region were equipped with weapons and guided missiles, highlighting the heightened military posture amid the crisis.

Sri Lanka’s decision reflects its effort to balance international relationships while preventing the spillover of geopolitical conflict onto its territory.