Colombo, Jan. 12 - President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his meeting with the ambassadors of the West Asian countries, is reported to have justified the decision to join Us-led operations to protect merchant vessels from attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

He said it is not military alignment with any country but a move aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation.

According to a source familiar with the brief­ing, the President said the attack on merchant vessels would impact global trade leading to price hikes with Sri Lanka also feeling the pinch at the end.

Also, he said Sri Lanka stands by its pro-palestine policy for a two-state solution. He said Sri Lanka remains steadfast in its stand to support UN resolutions calling for cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

The West Asian envoys also expressed their gratitude to Sri Lanka for its support to the cause of Palestinians.

The attacks by Houthi rebels have targeted commercial shipping vessels transiting through the critical Bab el-mandeb Strait that links markets in Asia and Europe following the October 7 attack by Hamas and Israel’s subsequent war.