Former diplomat Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka slammed the Sri Lankan government for its silence on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, stating that the administration lacks the political courage to express an independent position on critical international issues.
Participating in a televised discussion on Hiru TV, Dr. Jayatilleka drew a sharp contrast between the current government’s inaction and the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe, who, he claimed, had the backbone to openly disagree with the position taken by G7 countries during the summit on the Middle East crisis.
“Although Mr. Wickremesinghe has long been seen as a pro-Western figure, I must commend him for having the courage to express his views candidly, even if they contradicted the G7’s stance. Unfortunately, the present government lacks such clarity or conviction,” Dr. Jayatilleka stated.
He lamented the absence of strong leadership in Sri Lanka’s current foreign policy and noted that previous leaders such as Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranasinghe Premadasa had not hesitated to raise their voices on global issues when the national interest demanded it.
Dr. Jayatilleka also warned of potential repercussions from the Iran-Israel conflict, including the strategic closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran—a move that could have serious consequences for global energy supply and maritime routes, with direct implications for Sri Lanka.
Recalling Sri Lanka’s three-decade civil war, Dr. Jayatilleka highlighted the role Iran played in supplying arms to Sri Lanka’s military at a time when several other countries, including Libya, refused assistance.
He stated that Iran’s support was instrumental in enabling General Denzil Kobbekaduwa to launch successful operations in the North, including the liberation of Jaffna, and emphasised that the longstanding diplomatic ties between the two nations should not be forgotten.
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