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Sri Lanka Rejects U.S. and Iran Military Requests Amid Tensions

3/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced on March 20 that the country denied a U.S. request for two combat aircraft to land at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport from March 4-8.
The U.S. made the request on February 26, shortly before military actions against Iran began.
Dissanayake stated the decision aimed to maintain neutrality amid rising global tensions.
On the same day, Sri Lanka also rejected Iran's request for three naval vessels.
The Sri Lankan navy had previously rescued 32 Iranian crew members from a torpedoed ship.

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Story summary

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced on March 20 that the country denied a U.S. request for two combat aircraft to land at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport from March 4-8.
The U.S. made the request on February 26, shortly before military actions against Iran began.
Dissanayake stated the decision aimed to maintain neutrality amid rising global tensions.
On the same day, Sri Lanka also rejected Iran's request for three naval vessels.
The Sri Lankan navy had previously rescued 32 Iranian crew members from a torpedoed ship.