The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih - Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the current world situation.

¶ 02 Uncertainty is becoming the norm, and the norms guiding international conduct are being tested. Sri Lanka has historically approached global affairs with prudence, balance, and moral clarity—principled non-alignment, not indifference. That principle remains necessary. We have also long advanced the “Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace,” a lifeline and shared space. Recent events in our waters sharpened these principles. Following the tragic attack on an unarmed Iranian naval vessel carrying cadets returning from exercises in Visakhapatnam, a humanitarian emergency arose within Sri Lanka’s EEZ. Our authorities swiftly rescued those in distress; lives were saved; the deceased were treated with dignity; survivors and remains were repatriated. That decision, taken despite external pressures, reflected a non-negotiable principle: when human life is at stake, compassion must prevail over politics. Another vessel from the same exercise was granted port access; we ensured the safety of the vessel and its cadets. Responsible conduct at sea is an obligation, not a choice.

¶ 03 Oceans must never become places where humanity is forgotten. Distress at sea is universal; so must be our response. Sri Lanka, though modest in size, has shown that principled action carries influence. The Indian Ocean carries the aspirations of nearly half of humanity and must remain a region of stability. The “Zone of Peace” is a necessity.

¶ 04 Behind every global decision are human lives; ordinary people bear the greatest costs. Even in uncertain times, nations are defined by their commitment to humanity. Guided by compassion, restraint, and responsibility, we can safeguard our region and contribute to a more just and peaceful world.

¶ 05 I also wish to raise a matter of paramount importance: humanity has placed in the hands of a few the authority to command armed forces and, in some cases, to unleash catastrophic weapons. The consequences of a single misjudgment are global and often irreversible. I appeal to parliaments and peoples’ assemblies worldwide to institutionalize stronger safeguards around the exercise of such extraordinary power: rigorous, independent, internationally benchmarked assessments of mental and emotional fitness, conducted with dignity, transparency, and at regular intervals. This reinforces trust. Power of unimaginable destructive magnitude must not rest on assumption; systems must reassure citizens that decisions are made with sound judgment. History shows unchecked authority plus human vulnerability can lead to tragedy. When the power to destroy exists, the responsibility to safeguard judgment must be beyond question. Too often, those who call for war neither fight nor suffer; it is the soldier and the innocent who pay. Let us not choose silence over responsibility.

¶ 06 Thank you.