Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has raised concerns over Sri Lanka’s absence from a regional Indian Ocean Conference attended by South Asian leaders, questioning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the apparent gap in representation.
In a post on X, the SJB parliamentarian noted that Sri Lanka was not visibly represented in conference imagery. He questioned why neither the Foreign Affairs Minister nor the Deputy Minister attended what he described as an important gathering for the region.
Strategic positioning at risk
De Silva dismissed potential justifications such as cost-cutting or competing political priorities, warning that Sri Lanka risks losing the opportunity to leverage its strategic Indian Ocean position by failing to engage in key regional forums.
The criticism comes at a time when Sri Lanka’s geopolitical positioning has taken on renewed significance. The country has been navigating complex relationships amid the Middle East energy crisis, including a pending Russia oil supply deal, Indian VP Radhakrishnan’s recent visit, and the internment of an Iranian warship at Trincomalee.
The Indian Ocean Conference is typically organised by the India Foundation and serves as a platform for discussing maritime security, trade, and regional cooperation — all areas of direct relevance to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery strategy.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has not publicly responded to the criticism.
Sources: Newswire
