Sri Lanka reaffirms neutral diplomacy

The Cabinet Spokesman and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday assured that Sri Lanka maintains balanced diplomatic relations with all countries, reaffirming its policy of friends of all and enemy of none. 

“There is no favouritism. We do not consider any country to be special. Whether it is big or small, Sri Lanka maintains diplomatic relations with all countries — China, India, the US, Russia, Cuba, or Vietnam. We have no bias in our approach,” he said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday. He also addressed the Government’s decision to allow a Chinese military training vessel to visit Sri Lanka, noting that this falls within the framework of the country’s diplomatic engagements. 

“The ship is scheduled to arrive in the port of Colombo this month,” he said, citing that military ships from various countries have docked in Sri Lankan ports as part of routine diplomatic exchanges. 

“US, Indian and German warships have visited before. In such diplomatic relations, we engage with all countries equally,” he said.

Herath also said that both India and China are aiding Sri Lanka particularly in providing solar panels to the religious places, citing as an example of the country’s cooperation with multiple partners.