Arrr! Sri Lanka be joinin' the US-led Red Sea defense 'gainst those scallywag Houthi rebels, me hearties!
2024-01-09
Arr, word be sailin' the seas that Sri Lanka's navy be fixin' to join Operation Prosperity Guardian, a grand U.S.-led escapade in the Red Sea, protectin' merchant ships from them pesky Houthi attacks. Aye, a jolly good deed indeed!
Sri Lanka's navy is set to join a U.S.-led operation to protect merchant vessels in the Red Sea from Houthi rebel attacks, according to a navy spokesman. These attacks have targeted commercial ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects Asian and European markets. Operation Prosperity Guardian, led by the U.S. and its allies, aims to safeguard ship traffic in the area, with warships from the U.S., France, and the U.K. patrolling the region. The Sri Lankan ships' deployment date and patrol area have yet to be finalized.The decision to send the ships has faced criticism from opposition lawmakers in Sri Lanka, who argue that the government should prioritize addressing the severe economic hardships faced by its citizens. However, State Minister of Defense Pramitha Tennakoon defended the move, emphasizing the country's commitment to fulfilling its "global responsibilities" and its stance against terrorism. He also stated that joining the operation would not result in any additional costs for Sri Lanka, as its ships are already patrolling the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka is currently grappling with its worst economic crisis, having declared bankruptcy in April 2022 with over $83 billion in debt. The country's economy has been severely affected, leading to shortages of essential goods and services. Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ousted due to public protests, and the IMF provided a $2.9-billion bailout package. Sri Lanka aims to restructure a significant portion of its outstanding debt, which amounts to tens of billions of dollars.
Although shortages of essentials have somewhat improved, public dissatisfaction has grown due to the government's attempts to increase revenue through higher electricity bills, new income taxes, and an increased rate of value-added tax. The recent extension of the tax to cover essential items has further fueled public discontent.