India-Pakistan conflict Sri Lanka on heightened alert over Possible implications

Amid fears that India and Pakistan are on the brink of a wider Aconflict, Sri Lanka currently remains alert on possible implications for the country and its people, particularly for those studying and working in these two countries.

- By KELUM BANDARA

As a country, Sri Lanka will maintain neutrality as its standard position as far as such a conflict is concerned. The government is yet to put out a statement expressing its position. However, through the Foreign Ministry informed Sri Lankan nationals in these countries to be in touch with the missions in New Delhi and Islamabad in case of escalation of tension after India launched strikes on Pakistan following the massacre of 26 civilians by a terrorist group.

India blamed the incident on a terrorist outfit linked to Pakistan.

However, Pakistan has flatly rejected the allegation.

Currently around 1000 Sri Lankan students are in India and 500 in Pakistan.

In the event of a full-blown war, Sri Lanka fears whether it will impact trade leading to the rise in cost of living. India and Pakistan have closed their ports for each other.

A spokesman for the Essential Commodities Importers and Traders Association said that no problem had arisen as far as import trading is concerned at the moment.