Sajith urges Govt. to denounce act of aggression in violation of international law while former Presidents MR and RW as well as FSP weigh in on US-Israel conflict with Iran
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (3) convened a meeting with members of parliament (MPs) representing opposition political parties at the Office of the Opposition Leader in Parliament to discuss the impacts of the ongoing Middle East conflict on Sri Lanka.
Premadasa has noted that there were extensive discussions on the military crisis unfolding in the Middle East region with special focus being placed on Sri Lanka’s significant imports and exports linked to Iran and the wider Middle East. Participants at the meeting have highlighted the potential economic consequences.
It is learnt that attention was also directed towards safeguarding the lives of nearly one million Sri Lankan workers employed in the Middle East.
Premadasa has further said that the opposition leaders emphasized the need for greater government focus on ensuring their safety and protecting their employment, stressing that these issues require urgent attention.
Premadasa also noted in parliament yesterday that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will condemn the recent attack on Iran and called on the Sri Lankan government to issue a similar statement.
Addressing Parliament, Premadasa said the government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) should not hesitate to denounce the act of aggression in violation of international law, including Articles 2(4) and 2(7) of the United Nations Charter.
“I propose that the entire House condemn this, as it was an attack against a sovereign nation. It is good if the government issues a statement condemning this. We should not be afraid of it,” he said.
Premadasa also said Sri Lanka should condemn retaliatory attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
RW criticizes Trump’s approach
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW) has stated that the actions taken by US President Donald Trump to change governments in other countries are unacceptable and harmful to countries like Sri Lanka.
Wickremesinghe commented to the media on the current conflict involving Iran and the actions of the US and Israel, describing the situation as a “very serious and complex issue.”
“Removing a government by force, using this kind of method, is not something we can accept,” he said, adding, “Countries such as Switzerland and Norway have already pointed out that these actions are not in line with international law and accepted global practices.”
Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka is unlikely to face an immediate fuel shortage even if Iran’s fuel supply is disrupted, noting that other countries produce sufficient oil to offset such losses.
“Iran losing oil alone will not create a major shortage. Other countries can increase production,” he said.
However, he warned that the situation could worsen if Iran targets oil transport routes. “If Iran starts attacking oil tankers passing through the region and halts shipments, then it will become a serious problem. That has not happened yet,” he added.
Wickremesinghe also noted that Trump’s approach reflects an attempt to shape global affairs according to personal preferences. “Trump wants the world to function the way he prefers, but this is not good for us,” he said, calling the issue “a deeply troubling matter.”
MR calls for end of conflict
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) has said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East must be brought to an end as soon as possible, urging the involvement of powerful nations to help resolve the crisis.
He made the remarks in response to a question raised by journalists after attending the “Saddharma Varsha” religious sermon held at the historic Imbulakanda Sri Sambuddhi Viharaya in Homagama.
Rajapaksa said the war should be concluded at the earliest possible time and expressed belief that other influential countries should intervene to help bring about a resolution.
FSP condemns US attacks
Meanwhile, the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), which is a splinter group of the key coalition party of the ruling party the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has strongly denounced the recent attacks carried out by the US and Israel against Iran, describing them as violations of international law and conventions.
In a statement, the party said the strikes were launched under the contested claim of nuclear threats, despite ongoing diplomatic engagement and without credible evidence. It noted that this was the second time military aggression had occurred, even as negotiations continued.
The FSP condemned the brutality of the war, pointing to the airstrike on a girls’ school in Minab, Iran, which killed hundreds of young girls. The party said the attacks have included targeted assassinations of political leaders and military officials, alongside massive bombings that have caused severe civilian casualties.
Highlighting the broader geopolitical context, the FSP argued that the collapse of the Soviet‑led camp had ended the US vision of a unipolar world, with a multipolar order now intensifying inter‑imperialist contradictions. It cited tariff policies and trade wars under the Trump administration, as well as acts of aggression in Ukraine, Palestine, Venezuela, and Iran, as evidence of escalating global tensions.
“The imperialist war, waged for the interests of monopoly capital, is bringing destruction to the entire world and has put humanity at risk from the very first step. Furthermore, the rising military tensions between nuclear powers have jeopardised the survival of the human race and the entire planet. Against this backdrop, building international people’s power against imperialist war— centred on working class leadership—is essential to defending humanity’s future,” the party warned.
The FSP stressed that regime change in Iran must be determined by the Iranian people themselves, not through imperialist invasions. It warned that if not resisted, Iran could face civil war and subjugation to imperialist interests, similar to Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
“We call on the Iranian people, led by the working class, to build broad people’s power and confront their ruling class without falling into the imperialist trap. We encourage the Iranian people to link their struggle with the international working class to free themselves both from imperialist aggression and domestic repression. Let us oppose the imperialist war seeking global hegemony and advancing monopoly capitalist interests. Let us demand an immediate halt to the attacks on Iran and prevent escalation into catastrophe. Let us demand the immediate removal of U.S. military bases in the Middle East,” the FSP urged.
The party further demanded an immediate halt to attacks on Iran, prevention of further escalation, and the removal of US military bases in the Middle East.
“To achieve these measures, the working class and the proletariat must unite against imperialists and their domestic allies. We call upon all working people worldwide to build a broad anti-imperialist mass movement, including the people of Sri Lanka, to join global action against imperialist war,” it added.
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