US Defence Agreements Do Not Bind Sri Lanka to Any War

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has firmly rejected claims that Sri Lanka could be drawn into an international conflict due to defence agreements signed with the United States, stressing that none of the agreements obligate the country to take sides in any war.

Addressing the issue, the President said some groups were attempting to argue that Sri Lanka’s engagement with the United States through defence-related agreements made it unavoidable for the country to become a party to the current conflict. He described that claim as false.

President Dissanayake explained that the agreements entered into by Sri Lanka contain no provisions that require the country to participate in or support any military conflict. He said there is no reference whatsoever to military partnership in wars or combat situations within these agreements.

Clarifying their scope, the President said the agreements primarily cover aviation-related activities, services, maintenance and training programmes. They also include maritime domain awareness, which involves sharing information on activities taking place in maritime zones, as well as cooperation on cyber security and secure communications.

He noted that Sri Lanka has faced cyber threats in the past and that, through these agreements, the country has received significant support and training from the United States to strengthen its cyber security capabilities.

The President added that the agreements also extend to humanitarian assistance and disaster response. It was under these specific provisions, he said, that two C-130 aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake reiterated that none of the agreements signed with the United States impose any obligation on Sri Lanka to choose a side in a war, reaffirming the country’s position that it remains free from binding military commitments in international conflicts.