Courtesy Hiru News

The Sri Lankan government, led by the President, failed to issue a single word condemning or protesting the invasion of Iran and the killing of its spiritual leader by the US and Israel, despite opposition from global bodies like the US Congress and British Parliament, SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahman stated in Parliament today (03).

The MP pointed out his expectation that the President would present and unanimously pass a resolution against the invasion as the Head of State, yet no such action occurred today.

Mujibur Rahman further shared the following views:

The President visited Parliament today only to discuss technicalities like oil tank capacities and ship arrivals, which are matters the Energy Minister or even the Minister who inspected the tanks could have addressed. The President’s speech consisted of points that the Trade Minister or Foreign Minister could have easily handled. Instead of informing Parliament on international diplomatic actions, the President cunningly avoided the Iran issue to speak on unrelated topics.

While the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) previously protested against US imperialism at the Embassy every day while in the opposition, they are now silent. The country knows they have betrayed that struggle. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa issued a message of condolence following the spiritual leader’s death, but the leader did not die of a heart ailment; it was a targeted killing. This administration lacks the backbone to register a formal protest.

Former leaders like President Ranasinghe Premadasa and Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike maintained a direct and firm foreign policy in similar instances. While the current Prime Minister mentioned being moved by the songs of Victor Rathnayake, she did not say a word regarding the deaths of 160 young girls in an Iranian nursery during the US-Israeli attacks. These individuals frequented the Palestinian Embassy before taking power, but since gaining it, they have remained silent.