The Hon. K. Kader Masthan

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak in this adjournment debate on the current global situation.

¶ 02 The creation of Israel in the sacred Middle Eastern land, as an expression of colonial racial animus, has today turned the region into a war zone, with thousands of innocent Palestinians being killed daily—amounting now to about 92 percent being slaughtered.

¶ 03 Despite opposition from the American people and resignations of US defense leaders who said President Trump’s decision was based on faulty information, the US President’s authoritarian, unilateral policy has turned this war into a grave threat to world peace.

¶ 04 US-led killings of Iranian civilians and attacks on Iranian economic centres have been strongly condemned by America’s allies. This war mania—based on false assumptions and resource-grabs—has disrupted the daily lives of people globally and pushed them into severe hardship.

¶ 05 As a result, people in our country are again forced to queue at fuel stations; millions of families struggle to find even one meal a day. This war has aggravated their suffering. The US and Israel, who initiated this war, must immediately take steps to stop it; otherwise we must watch and wait to see how the world descends.

¶ 06 If Iran carries out retaliatory strikes, it must target the right enemies. Under no circumstances should neighbouring brotherly countries—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Turkey, Iraq, Oman—be attacked. Nor should oil fields and other lands in those states be targeted. Just as we cannot accept US/Israeli aggression, we cannot accept Iran committing similar aggression. Iran must refrain from escalating conflict across the Middle East.

¶ 07 Middle Eastern countries have helped our nation immensely; many Sri Lankans work there and now live in fear. Therefore, do not attack neighbours; attack only those who attack you.

¶ 08 Iran should strengthen diplomacy across the Middle East and Europe to restore calm. As the Middle East provides two-thirds of global energy needs and millions work there, I urge the UN General Assembly to intervene and swiftly end this war and restore peace.

¶ 09 All nations, including Sri Lanka, must strongly condemn the joint US-Israeli efforts targeting Iran’s spiritual leader of the Shia and 12,000 civilian targets. Likewise, we must strongly condemn any Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Turkey, Qatar, Oman, and Iraq, and call for rapid steps to end the war.

¶ 10 Hon. Member, your time is up.

¶ 11 Please grant me one more minute.

¶ 12 Near Sri Lanka’s maritime zone, the Iranian ship “IRIS Dena” was sunk; 87 navy personnel were killed, and about 30 sailors were rescued by our Navy with injuries. The US has claimed responsibility for this attack. I therefore request the Government to appoint an independent commission to ascertain facts and ensure justice.