Sri Lankan politician Namal Rajapaksa has called for stronger regional cooperation after the sinking of an Iranian ship near Sri Lankan waters, warning that the incident could threaten stability in the Indian Ocean.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, Rajapaksa said the Indian Ocean has long been known as a safe zone for international trade, and the attack on a foreign vessel had created a dangerous precedent.
The discussion, titled “The Indian Ocean Faultline: Sri Lanka’s Geopolitical Balancing Act,” was moderated by Rajdeep Sardesai of India Today and Nagarajan Dwarkanath.
Incident involving Iranian ship
Rajapaksa referred to the recent sinking of the Iranian vessel Iris Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka during the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The ship had earlier taken part in exercises with the Indian Navy near Visakhapatnam. More than 80 Iranian personnel were reported dead, while some survivors are receiving treatment in hospitals in Galle and Colombo.
Rajapaksa said the attack raised serious concerns about security in the Indian Ocean.
“The Indian Ocean has always been considered a safe region. The attack on a foreign ship creates a new and worrying situation for the region,” he said.
Call for regional action
Rajapaksa said countries in the region, including India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, should work together to protect maritime security.
He also mentioned the importance of regional cooperation through the Colombo Security Conclave.
According to him, India can play an important leadership role because of its economic and military strength, but cooperation from all countries in the region is needed.
Sri Lanka should seek answers
Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka has the right to ask for an explanation about the incident.
“We cannot ignore what happened near our waters. Sri Lanka has a sovereign right to ask what exactly took place,” he said.
He also noted that global rules and international law are being questioned because of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Economic impact on Sri Lanka
Rajapaksa warned that the West Asia conflict could seriously affect Sri Lanka’s economy.
He said the country depends heavily on the Middle East for fuel imports, labour remittances and tourism. In addition, Iran is one of the largest buyers of Sri Lankan tea.
Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz could also disrupt global energy supplies, he added.
Neutral foreign policy
Responding to reports that the United States had asked Sri Lanka not to send Iranian survivors back to their country, Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka must make its own decision.
“Other countries can make requests, but Sri Lanka must decide based on its own principles and humanitarian responsibilities,” he said.
He added that Sri Lanka has always followed a non-aligned foreign policy.
Regional political issues
Rajapaksa also spoke about relations with India and the issue of Katchatheevu. He said the island belongs to Sri Lanka under the 1974 agreement between the two countries.
He called for better dialogue with India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu to address issues such as the fishermen dispute.
Future of regional cooperation
Speaking about the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Rajapaksa said its purpose is still important but its effectiveness is now being questioned.
He suggested that new regional cooperation mechanisms may be needed to address modern challenges.
Final remarks
Rajapaksa also dismissed concerns about Chinese influence in Sri Lanka, saying the country would not allow foreign military bases on its territory. He noted that China has invested in infrastructure projects but Sri Lanka maintains balanced relations with all major powers.
Ending the session on a lighter note, Rajapaksa said Indian actor Vijay is his favourite actor and mentioned cricketers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson among players he admires
