Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, the answer to the Question raised by the Hon. Leader of the Opposition under Standing Order 27(2) is as follows:

¶ 02 1. The Government of Sri Lanka expresses deep concern over the rapid escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to regional stability and to international peace and security. Sri Lanka calls upon all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to take immediate and decisive steps to de-escalate the situation and to avert a wider regional conflict with severe humanitarian and economic consequences. All parties should refrain from further provocative actions. That is our position.

¶ 03 A war environment in the region will affect us as well. Therefore, our position is to pursue a negotiated solution to prevent further escalation, and we have already been in discussion with several states. Last night, H.E. the President spoke by telephone with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates, and this evening we will also engage by telephone with several heads of state and foreign ministers about the situation. As a nation, we are actively engaged in efforts that contribute to regional and global peace.

¶ 04 Regarding the incident this morning: it is true, but it was not in our maritime zone. In a foreign maritime zone, an Iranian Navy vessel, “IRIS Dena,” was reported sinking. At about 5.08 a.m., our Navy and the Coast Guard received the alert. We immediately intervened, deploying a first naval craft, then a second, and engaged both the Air Force and the Navy. Approximately 30 persons were in serious distress and, according to current information, around 180 were aboard. We promptly rescued the injured and transported them to Karapitiya Hospital; they have now been admitted.

¶ 05 Sri Lanka is a party to the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (1979). Under this Convention, regardless of nationality or cause, we are obliged on humanitarian grounds to render assistance to persons in distress at sea, even beyond our maritime zones. We have done so, and our medical teams at Karapitiya are attending to the injured.

¶ 06 On the core issue of regional security: such incidents negatively impact security. Our objective is to prevent escalation, and we have already taken immediate steps required of a Government.

¶ 07 On Sri Lankans in the Middle East: according to our official figures, approximately one million Sri Lankans are employed in the region. Country-wise indicative numbers (full list placed in the Library) include: Kuwait 322,437; Saudi Arabia 242,593; Qatar 203,182; United Arab Emirates 170,468; Oman 36,812; Israel 27,472; Jordan 24,184; Bahrain 14,374; Lebanon 7,925; Iraq 641; Yemen 168; Iran 108; Syria 78. The detailed document is tabled and placed in the Library.

¶ 08 Airports: while several major airports were initially closed, some have since reopened as conditions changed. Our Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry has engaged repeatedly—including yesterday—with private airlines and with ICAO. We are working to dispatch flights promptly to the affected countries. The day after the incident began, the Ministry established an Emergency Operations Unit coordinating all our overseas missions. This 24/7 emergency response unit is operational, and missions are open around the clock. We have publicised the numbers and contact points via all media and tabled the list in this House.

¶ 09 On current airline operations: Oman airspace is fully open. SalamAir (Oman) operated a flight at 4.00 a.m. today. Flydubai is operating. We also engaged FitsAir; two aircraft ferried passengers Colombo–Dubai and returned with passengers. SriLankan Airlines continues scheduled operations except to airports that remain closed, including services to the UK, Frankfurt, and Paris.

¶ 10 Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau has opened a 24/7 information centre. The hotline 1989 and WhatsApp 071-9802822 are active. The centre continually exchanges information with labour and welfare sections of our missions. Since 28 February, about 30 inquiries have been received: 16 requests from relatives for assisted return, 4 complaints of loss of contact, 4 on worker safety, general information requests, and two inquiries on families abroad. As of yesterday, 109 persons were awaiting assistance in Saudi Arabia and 22 in Oman; with today’s Oman flight, some have come home.

¶ 11 Assistance to vulnerable Sri Lankans abroad: our missions are instructed to provide food, lodging, and other necessities. We thank Sri Lankans overseas who are also assisting compatriots through missions. The Ministry and Government have authorised funds and rapid interventions.

¶ 12 On special transport: we have discussed contingency airlifts and alternative transport with relevant ministers, officials, and international airlines, and stand ready to activate as needed.

¶ 13 On ICAO and regulators: ICAO has not issued special measures to date; international passenger carriers proceed according to safety and security assessments under decisions of the relevant national civil aviation authorities. We are in dialogue and will act accordingly.

¶ 14 On remittances: there has been no decline yet. In 2025, Sri Lanka received a record USD 8.2 billion in worker remittances. We are taking steps to sustain flows this year as well. A war situation could temporarily disrupt bank operations or private apps; we are discussing contingencies with stakeholders. Remittances are a key economic pillar.

¶ 15 On oil and supplies: OPEC is a producers’ organisation; imports are done via companies. We have already engaged suppliers through our missions. At present we do not face a fuel supply issue; we have adequate stocks and ongoing imports. Our principal supply partners are India, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea. Disruptions in the Middle East have not, as of now, impeded our oil transport, though we will monitor and seek alternatives if necessary.

¶ 16 On the Strait of Hormuz: closure would not directly disrupt our current oil import routes; we are not presently importing via that chokepoint. Alternative routes—especially around the African Cape—are available and used. While global production and transport could be affected, Sri Lanka’s current routing mitigates immediate risk.

¶ 17 On global oil prices: escalation can drive prices up. That would be a global effect, not due to actions of our Government. If the conflict ends quickly, outlook improves. We have already convened the Security Council the following day and adopted measures to ensure national security and the safety of foreigners and tourists in Sri Lanka. We extended visas by two weeks for foreigners unable to depart due to flight issues, with readiness to extend further as needed. We also coordinated with hotels and travel agents to support tourists, including addressing insurance concerns; a further high-level meeting chaired by the President is scheduled this afternoon. Tourists continue to arrive via alternative routes; for example, German and European tourists came via Turkish Airlines yesterday.