Colombo and other Sri Lankan ports will face threats if cargo ships bound for the island are not given protection in Red Sea, said president Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He was speaking at a meeting with ministers Manusha Nanayakkara, Harin Fernando and others this morning (08).
This will be the first time after the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great that Sri Lanka is sending a Navy ship to protect international seas, said the president.
If no ships are sent there on account of the cost, the country will lose massively due to no ships calling at her ports, according to him.
Sri Lanka is sending a warship for the protection of cargo ships, and not to get involved in any war between nations, said Wickremesinghe.
Other countries in the region too, are coming forward to follow suit.
He pointed out that sea transport has become costlier after most ships started avoiding Red Sea that is threatened by the Houthis.
(lankadeepa.lk)
