Sri Lanka has decided to deploy a Navy Vessel at the Red Sea to prevent Houthi Rebels from attacking ships, blocking trade along the sea route, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.
Addressing the ‘Shilpa Abhimani 2023’ event in Colombo on Wednesday (Jan 03), the President said Sri Lanka will deploy a Navy vessel at the Red Sea for a cost of Rs. 250 million every fortnight.
He pointed out that prices of goods may increase due to the various wars underway, especially in Ukraine and Palestine.
The President further said ships have also stopped using the Red Sea route due to continuous attacks by Yemen’s Houthi Rebels and the rerouting of these ships around South Africa will also indirectly increase prices of goods.
President Wickremesinghe said therefore, a decision has been taken for Sri Lanka to join the mission to protect against attacks by the Houthi Rebels.
The President’s statement comes in the backdrop of a final warning issued by the United States and 12 allies to Houthi rebels on Wednesday to cease their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea or face potential targeted military action.
According to foreign media, the Yemen-based militants have carried out at least 23 attacks in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza since Dec. 19.
However, the Iranian-backed Houthis have responded with defiance, vowing to continue targeting vessels they consider linked to Israel.
The situation in the strategically vital southern Red Sea is now at a stand-off.
The Bab al-Mandab strait is a critical waterway through which almost 15% of global trade passes. If attacks continue, the fear is that fuel prices will rise and supply chains will be damaged. (NewsWire)
President Ranil Wickremesinghe states that Sri Lanka will dispatch a naval vessel to the Red Sea to assist in security operations. The President states that delays caused to the shipping lines due to Houthis attacks will result in further increases in the costs of living. pic.twitter.com/iabsmtWrah
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