COLOMBO : Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Rauff Hakeem, expressed his deep concern over the most ferocious unprovoked, unilateral US–Israel strike on Iran, which reportedly resultedo in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several high-ranking state defense officials.
” oWe extend our profound anguish and heartfelt condolences to the people of Iran as they mourn the loss of their esteemed Supreme Leader in what is described as a shocking violation of International Law and a needlessly reckless attack by Israel and the United States while Iran was clearly seeking to reduce tension in the region by engaging in negotiations with the United States.
We also note that the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has issued a diabolical statement today on the US-Israeli military attacks and the victim state’s retaliation on the US bases in the regions, conspicuously omitting any reference to Iran or its losses, a nation with which Sri Lanka has historically maintained friendly ties.
The government’s rhetoric appears to sanction the brutality surrounding the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, rather than condemning the act and condoling his death in the hands of the aggressors who tout their ‘successful’ military onslaughts against a sovereign nation.
It is disturbing that while claiming to profess the principles of non-alignment and neutrality, the GoSL has demonstrated its devious policy its recurring alignment with the US-Israeli position on Iran, and many a time, on Gaza too.
It is evident that the government has miserably lost its moral compass, judging by its official remarks since taking office, on the Israeli war on Gaza and on matters impinging upon Iran’s sovereignty, security, and independence.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has never been in a more despicable state intellectually, morally and even politically than it is in today. It appears to be increasingly aligning with the positions of our largest neighbor and a handful of Western nations that still use Israel’s skewed claims of right to self-defense to justify their own stances.
How can a sensible government place the burden of de-escalation on a victim state in the manner implied by its statement, without ever referencing the causal US-Israeli military aggression?
We, as a responsible political organisation, unreservedly condemn the US-Israeli military aggression and the abhorrent killing of the Supreme Leader of Iran.
We wish to reiterate that Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty must be respected. Safer regional outcomes depend on de-escalating a conflict that could otherwise push the region to the abyss of a prolonged regional conflict that will have global consequences.
The current spike in tensions between Iran and the region is unparalleled. The situation should never been allowed to evolve to such an extent that Gulf States hosting US military bases had to face the fallout of Iranian retaliation against US military presence in the region. It is highly regrettable that such a situation has resulted in regional chaos. It requires urgent, restrained responses to avert further instability.
We also wish to express solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordon, their peoples, and the broader region, as fear of wider regional conflict and global instability grows. We urge all parties to engage in constructive diplomacy.
Our hope and prayer is for enduring peace and stability in the region, with meaningful de-escalation including nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation by Israel, while preserving the right of states to peaceful nuclear exploration and use. This should underpin a Greater Middle East built on mutual respect, cooperative security, and shared prosperity—not on the grand designs of any single state.”
