Responding in Parliament, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said Sri Lanka is deeply concerned about the rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East, which threatens regional and global security.

 

He confirmed that Sri Lanka has urged all parties involved in the conflict to take urgent and decisive steps to restore peace and resolve issues through dialogue.

 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has spoken by telephone with the President of the United Arab Emirates and plans to engage with other regional leaders.

 

The minister revealed that approximately one million Sri Lankans are employed in Middle Eastern countries, including:

 

• Kuwait – 322,437

• Saudi Arabia – 242,593

• Qatar – 200,382

• United Arab Emirates (Dubai) – 170,468

• Oman – 36,812

• Israel – 27,472

• Jordan – 24,182

• Bahrain – 14,374

• Lebanon – 7,925

• Iraq – 641

• Yemen – 16

• Iran – 10

• Syria – 7

 

Special 24-hour monitoring units have been established at Sri Lankan diplomatic missions. The National Security Council has met under the President’s leadership, and relevant decisions are being implemented.

 

Fuel imports continue through India and Singapore, and authorities stated that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will not immediately disrupt local fuel supplies.