President Ranil Wickramasinghe says that Sri Lanka is committed to a strategic stability aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean.
The President points out that Sri Lanka has decided to contribute to Red Operations due to its commitment to freedom of navigation.
Recalling how the closure of the Suez Canal for 10 years due to the Six Day War adversely affected the Colombo port, the President has pointed out the need to carry out maritime activities without restrictions.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe has stated this while delivering the keynote address of the third phase of the Indian Ocean Security Conference organized by the ‘Path Finder’ Foundation, which started yesterday (28) in Colombo.
The President pointed out that it is a pleasure to join forces with the ‘Path Finder’ Foundation to address one of the major parties that we all have to face in Sri Lanka as well as in the region and globally.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe says that the Indian Ocean cannot be considered a part of the “One Belt One Road” program or the Indo-Pacific program and the Indian Ocean has now become a strategic geopolitical region in the world.
The President has further mentioned that Sri Lanka is committed to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean without rivalry as the Indian Ocean region has now become an emerging economy.