Sri Lanka Reaffirms It Will Not Allow Its Territory to Be Used Against India

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reiterated that his country will not allow its land, airspace or territorial waters to be used for activities directed against India, reaffirming Colombo’s commitment to regional security and its policy of non-alignment. Speaking at a public gathering in Nikaweratiya in Sri Lanka’s North Western Province, Dissanayake stressed that the country would not become involved in military conflicts between other nations. His remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tensions, including the conflict involving the United States and Iran.

The Sri Lankan president also referred to requests from Washington and Tehran concerning military aircraft and naval vessels. According to reports, Sri Lanka declined a US request for aircraft to land in the country and an Iranian request to deploy warships. The assurance is significant for India, given Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean and its proximity to India’s southern coastline. The two countries share important maritime, economic and security interests, making cooperation between them a key factor in maintaining regional stability.

Dissanayake has previously given similar assurances to Indian leaders. During his meeting with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Colombo in September 2026, he reiterated that Sri Lankan territory would not be permitted to serve as a base for activities contrary to India’s security interests. The meeting also highlighted defence cooperation between the two countries, including arrangements concerning the upgrading of L70 air defence guns used by the Sri Lankan Air Force and cooperation between their defence training institutions.

India and Sri Lanka have continued to strengthen their relationship through defence engagement, economic cooperation and humanitarian assistance. India also provided emergency support to Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah under Operation Sagar Bandhu. Sri Lanka’s latest statement underlines its effort to maintain constructive relations with India while pursuing an independent foreign policy and avoiding involvement in international military confrontations. With the Indian Ocean remaining strategically important for global trade and regional security, continued coordination between New Delhi and Colombo is expected to remain an important part of their bilateral relationship.