President justifies Sri Lanka’s participation in Red Sea security operations

12 January 2024 06:26 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 51 Bookmark

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Colombo, Jan. 12 (Daily Mirror)- President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his meeting with the ambassadors of the West Asian countries, is reported to have justified the decision to join Us-led operations to protect merchant vessels from attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

He said it is not military alignment with any country but a move aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation.

According to a source familiar with the briefing, the President said the attack on merchant vessels would impact global trade leading to price hikes with Sri Lanka also feeling the pinch at the end.

Also, he said Sri Lanka stands by its pro-palestine policy for a two-state solution. He said Sri Lanka remains steadfast in its stand to support UN resolutions calling for cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

The West Asian envoys also expressed their gratitude to Sri Lanka for its support to the cause of Palestinians.

The attacks by Houthi rebels have targeted commercial shipping vessels transiting through the critical Bab el-mandeb Strait that links markets in Asia and Europe following the October 7 attack by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent war.

Comments - 51

Jaffna Logic Friday, 12 January 2024 07:01 AM

Let us not be fooled by the Western terminologies. The Houthi rebels is a term given by the West , actually they are the rulers of Yemen with Capital called Sanna. They are attacking Israeli or Western ships as a solidarity with the poor Palestinians who are being obliterated by the arrogant nuclear armed and militarily superior Israel. So if Sri Lanka joins this naval grouping which is quickly being assembled by America then we are essentially supporting the ghastly country Israel.

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Mahendra Fernando Friday, 12 January 2024 07:34 AM

As usual you have your priorities all wrong. We'll tell you about it at the next election

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Hg Friday, 12 January 2024 11:31 AM

Typical SL way of looking at things wearing coloured glasses.

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Jayanotthi Friday, 12 January 2024 07:37 AM

President is correct. Navii"s footing important in WW3 for island's security. Policies created it and only way out is rising uo from darkness to light.

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Basipala Rajapassa Friday, 12 January 2024 07:48 AM

Unelected, refused man has nothing to do except show off for nothing! Help poor struggling people of SL!

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Godfather Friday, 12 January 2024 11:40 AM

Read the contents before commenting.

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Terrence K Friday, 12 January 2024 08:12 AM

President has a point but can a bankrupt country afford to go into this type of support. Whilst he has looked at one angle but what are the repercussions for a country who may become a victim of terrorist attack and will the powerful nations help us. It is better to be Non Aligned. Anyhow let us keep our thoughts and ideas within us and watch the unfolding scene.!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Good By Joining Other Nations Friday, 12 January 2024 08:31 AM

Good move as more countries joining will cut cost

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Good Training for Navy Friday, 12 January 2024 01:49 PM

SL is just showing support with the big boys who will do the work as shown today by UK

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THE HARD TRUTH Friday, 12 January 2024 08:36 AM

THE RED SEA SECURITY, NEEDS GULF COUNTRIES, PAKISTAN, INDIA, SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU YOU ?????

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Kick these scum out Friday, 12 January 2024 08:37 AM

President boru hila will justify sending refrigerators to Eskimos as long as it's tax payer money.

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DD Friday, 12 January 2024 08:39 AM

Setting politics aside, post-war, we find ourselves with a substantial force. What are we going to do with our additional force? It's crucial to tap into these niche markets before any other countries do. Engaging with the UN and other nations to upgrade our fleet and assets is key. Offering better pay to our sailors provides them opportunities for a higher quality of life. This move not only enhances our foreign exchange but also positions us to respond to global disasters. With a trained force ready for any corner of the world, we contribute positively to the UN and create more jobs.

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Ranil the traitor Friday, 12 January 2024 08:43 AM

The president is a champion of rights of people all over the word except his own country people.

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Seemamalaka Friday, 12 January 2024 11:48 AM

He is trying to bring down the sky rocketing shipping

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Con man president Friday, 12 January 2024 08:46 AM

Empty words from an empty wessal.

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dana Friday, 12 January 2024 08:46 AM

This unelected,acting president of bankrupt country should be able to understand aligning with one side would annoying other,he better keep away kind of actions

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Wasteful president Friday, 12 January 2024 08:48 AM

This man is addicted to wasting tax payer money.

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Timely action Friday, 12 January 2024 09:05 AM

Shipping charges has escalated for our meager exports. We cannot compete with other countries who do not use Red Sea. This is the same for imports as well. As it is prices has have gone sky high and the public is reeling.

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Sokrates Friday, 12 January 2024 09:13 AM

Ranil, how do you want to take part in this mission? With the scrap ships dumped here by China? These ships are like sitting ducks for the Houthi terrorists' missiles and drones. Do your ships have an APAR (Active Phased Array Radar) and a SMART-L (Signal Multibeam Acquisition Radar for Tracking, L band), range more than 400 kilometers? Are your ships equipped with anti-ship missile RGM-84 Harpoon, range more than 220 kilometers and Mk41 VLS (Vertical Launching System) for anti-aircraft missiles, ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile) and SM2, range more than 160 kilometers? Probably not. So leave this task to the professionals. If you send ships, it will only disrupt the mission, as the modern warships of the other nations have then also to protect your junk ships. The situation is now coming to a head as the US and UK are planning attacks on the Houthi terrorists in Yemen.

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Tinpot president and his glory days Friday, 12 January 2024 09:15 AM

President is only keen on massaging his inflated sense of importance, the sad thing is he is using taxpayer money in doing so.

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Rip Winkle Friday, 12 January 2024 02:23 PM

Well said.

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Nilmini Welivita Friday, 12 January 2024 09:23 AM

You SJB and JVP idiots are just shouting from the spectator stands when the real players Ranil and the Hon. Rajapaksa are scoring centuries for the country.

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Pin Gona 2 Friday, 12 January 2024 01:18 PM

I like your comments, I have become a fan of you, I always scroll down looking for your comment to get my stress relived, keep it up

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melville perera Friday, 12 January 2024 09:29 AM

reminds me of the VICTORY PARADE celebrations arranged in UK after WW 11 ended and Sri Lanka (then CEYLON) sent her one and only gifted war ship - a small DESTROYER - an escort vessel - with a massive elite navy crew to join the assembled war time naval fleet parade. The UK print media went to town with headlines about it which read - THE FLEETS IN - the year 1945. Today 79 years later we can turn out only fibre glass fishing boats and without any proper training and state of the art equipment a navy contingent is under preparation to be sent to counter RED SEA terrorism, Funnily Japan vIrtualy destroyed by 2 A bombs has not considered it important, Hope we wont end up in the DEAD SEA

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RuwanL Friday, 12 January 2024 09:39 AM

Is this a ploy to postpone elections by saying no money for elections? This is an unnecessary expenditure we can't afford. The expese to deploy the navy cant be recovered by the reduction of price of goods. Let the counties that economically sound battle it out!

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Dinruta Friday, 12 January 2024 09:41 AM

Sir, Don’t underestimate the power of fools who seem to be advising you.

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Hamdhan Friday, 12 January 2024 10:20 AM

Not long ago, SL had to resort to request Indian Navy/Coast guard to put out the Burning ship within its own terretorial waters. Has the SL Navy grown mighty within 2 years?. Even now there are news circulating about how high the deployment cost for the innocent tax payers. Let the big boys figth their wars, SL has nothing to gain from this vain glorious mission.

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Patriot Friday, 12 January 2024 10:34 AM

Mr.President.I agree with your article but in case if you send our part as part of coalition and if their is a big casuality(god safeguard our beloved forces) in some confrontation this will lead to unwanted issues in our races in our country!!

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The Observer Friday, 12 January 2024 10:45 AM

There are several concerns: 1) Considering the current state of the economy, we all believe that we are not in a position to help any external military activities. All taxes and charges have been increased substantially causing people to suffer. These military contributions will be financed by this poor people's tax money. If government has excess money, taxes should be reduced by that amount. 2) Elections are overdue, which was attributed to lack of money. Now it seems they have money. So this money shoul be used to hold local government elections soon. 3)Our foreign policy has always been a non-aligned approach. This will definitely cause us to be labelled as an American ally. 4)This may provoke extremist Islamic groups like ISIS to target us in future. Remember our military and intelligence couldn't protect us against Easter attacks. 5) The lives of hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans living in Middle East regions will be put in unnecessary risk. Under no circumstances, this j

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Man Friday, 12 January 2024 10:49 AM

He shall hold the overdue local government election to get the consent on public money as it is not his heredity.

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මහ බැංකු හොරා Friday, 12 January 2024 11:11 AM

This idiot couldn't prevent the Easter bombings when he was the prime minister. He's trying to be pro-West and get support from them to stay in power and also the conspirators of the Easter bombings.

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Ty Friday, 12 January 2024 12:21 PM

Foolish comment.

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Nilmini Welivita Friday, 12 January 2024 01:36 PM

You are a idiot

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Sirisena Was In charge Friday, 12 January 2024 06:39 PM

His hands were tied by that Sirisena president. So don’t blame him. Remember, he was not allowed to attend the security meetings!

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Alex Friday, 12 January 2024 11:25 AM

First use these ships to prevent large scale smuggling of harmful drugs to the country by sea. That has become a much important priority for future generations than pretending military strength to the world.

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M Fernando Friday, 12 January 2024 11:34 AM

As long as RW has the opportunity to kiss the Batahira Mithuras @rse, he will be happy. To heck with Sri Lanka and it's people and problems.

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sam Friday, 12 January 2024 11:36 AM

Oh my God you are so embarrassing, Ranil Are you serious?Do we have the ability to intercept Yemen Houthi drones in drone warfare? What about anti-missile systems? Unfortunately, our fleet doesn't have these capabilities, and it's doubtful that we'll have them in the future

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Alam Friday, 12 January 2024 01:28 PM

Paying for genocide now, why is Sri Lanka not great. Because there is no morals. Just begging mentality, what has prosperity of the genocidal Zionist to do with Sri Lanka self interest. Whan a oil embargo hits, your American Zionist friends won’t be of help.

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KD Friday, 12 January 2024 01:32 PM

The dying empire (West) and its slaves (including us) will go into the dustbin of history and be forgotten, Whereas in a multipolar world countries who work to ensure their interests and their goals will prosper with like-minded nations of the global south. 'Wanse kabalgaana haamulage wahallunta wenne un ekkama kunu bakkiyata yannayi.'

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Patcitz Friday, 12 January 2024 02:03 PM

Because the very US command instigated Aragalaya and installed you in power chasing People-elected President Gotabaya out of power. Therefore, as a token of gratitude, you act as a slave for the US, selling your motherland all out to India and the US.

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ROSH Friday, 12 January 2024 02:03 PM

I am so proud of unelected master debating president world ever had. He loves making statements of love on mile high club always makes statements participating external activities. He loves making internal work by himself to the point normal folks are struggling to walk.

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Double tongue Friday, 12 January 2024 02:24 PM

Okay, two state solution over there. So what about here?

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Lion Friday, 12 January 2024 02:29 PM

We will see whether your action is correct or wrong at the next election.

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Mr.Haalparuwa Friday, 12 January 2024 02:51 PM

I agree with Nilmini Welivita.Not only centuries but with sixes

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Ceylonese Friday, 12 January 2024 03:05 PM

The US

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Ram Friday, 12 January 2024 03:20 PM

President trying to be the King Maker without assessing the risks involved. It is reported that Australia helped with manpower and now Australia is threatened. Australia will mange the threats and US

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I love Hamas Friday, 12 January 2024 03:43 PM

Please don't support the Red Sea operation because our ports are making more money.

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Anthattuge Siripala Friday, 12 January 2024 05:03 PM

Welikana lady is very sad to hear things against Ponaya and Myna! Why? May be getting a big share from them or Myna may be ...... People are struggling to eat, use light and water! You may not have a problem through drug or stolen money from Myna! Or may be a part of the Central Bank Robbery!

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Buddhist Friday, 12 January 2024 07:59 PM

Ranil had to do this because he signed a secret security agreement with the USA without presenting it to the Parliament.

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Sambo Friday, 12 January 2024 08:11 PM

What ever decisions that he takes is justifiable but not by others.

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Ginthota Siripala Saturday, 13 January 2024 06:05 PM

Who is this Nilmini? Saving all culprits and bodies and thieves and drug dealers and kaput as and Mynas and ponayas and pimpiyas for a big commission! How many hotels you have now? Bank balance? No sense of the country!

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