President calls for swift action to promote peace amid Middle East conflict

2026-03-03 - 08:08

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has urged all parties involved in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East to act swiftly and responsibly to foster a peaceful world. Speaking in Parliament today (March 03) while outlining the government’s stance on the situation, the President emphasized, “Any military conflict does not create a favourable situation for any group of people. In a world that is technologically advanced and possesses highly destructive weapons, the scale of destruction from warfare is clear to everyone. Therefore, Sri Lanka’s position is that all parties involved in this war must immediately make the necessary commitments and take guidance toward a peaceful world.” He noted that the conflict could significantly affect the daily lives of Sri Lankans and that the country has limited capacity to remain unaffected. The President added that a national programme will be formulated to manage the consequences, and it will be achievable only through international commitment to peace. Addressing specific concerns, he warned that the Middle East conflict may disrupt oil and gas supplies and pose challenges for Sri Lankans abroad. Potential impacts on tourism, foreign remittances, shipping, and aviation sectors were also highlighted. Finally, the President stressed the importance of seeking solutions for both short-term and long-term challenges, acknowledging that public concern and anxiety during such crises are normal, given past experiences.