Harin Fernando told RT India that the US attack on the Iranian ship would put pressure on ships crossing Colombo’s territorial waters.
Sri Lanka could take an economic hit from the protracted Middle East conflict, former minister Harin Fernando said.
In an interview with RT India, Fernando cited the US attack on an Iranian warship on Wednesday as putting pressure on ships crossing Sri Lankan waters.
“Our country is changing us” He said. “Tourism is one of our main sources of income and foreign remittances, exports of rubber and garments.”
Sri Lanka would be seriously affected if a full-scale war spreads beyond the Middle East, Fernando said. “More than 70% of Sri Lankan expats work in the Middle East” He added. “Therefore, we are in a very vulnerable position when such a war takes place in our waters, which are close to our economic zone.”
Washington’s sinking of the Iranian ship will put pressure on ships crossing Sri Lankan waters, the former minister said. “I think diplomatic intervention is definitely needed” He added.
Fernando said that Sri Lanka is coming out of financial crisis and cannot face further pressure. “Small problem can cause financial collapse in Sri Lanka” He added. “The cost of living will increase. The airspace in the Middle East is closed which will significantly affect our income. Commodities (prices) are going to increase. So, Sri Lanka is at great risk.”
Sri Lanka’s economic and humanitarian crisis peaked in 2022, as severe shortages of fuel, food and medicine sparked massive protests that ousted the government.
The International Monetary Fund said in March last year that the country has seen a significant recovery since the $2.9 billion bailout.
The tourism industry, a major revenue earner, has been hit by the cancellation of flights from the Middle East and the sinking of an Iranian ship off the coast of Sri Lanka on Wednesday is likely to further affect it.
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