Sri Lanka to be affected if Middle East crisis is prolonged: Opposition

2 March 2026 01:03 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 31 Bookmark

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Colombo, March 2 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka will be adversely affected if the conflict in the Middle East is prolonged, the Opposition said yesterday.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S. M. Marikar said Sri Lanka will go into a crisis if the government fails to manage the situation in the long run.

"We see panic buying of fuel today. We therefore request the general public to act with responsibility. There cannot be a fuel shortage according to the book. However there will be issues if the government fails to control the situation in the long run," the MP told a media briefing.

At the same time, the MP said inferior quality coal will have a negative impact given the situation in the Middle East. "It is proven that the inferior quality coal does not produce power as required. The government will have to either go for power cuts or purchase fuel. Purchasing fuel could be an issue given the war situation in the Middle East. Iran controls 20 percent of global fuel supply. Therefore purchasing fuel could be an issue where Sri Lanka is concerned," he said.

"We don't hope for the worst," he added.

MP Ravi Karunanayake, who commented on the matter, said Sri Lanka could be affected in the long run as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. "There will be an issue if the conflict last for a fortnight," he told Daily Mirror.

"The first issue Sri Lanka could face is a fuel issue in the long run. Then there could be a remittance issue in the event there are job losses for the Sri Lankan expatriate workers in the region," he said.

He also said the conflict is not likely to be prolonged if the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni is really dead. "The conflict would last longer as long as there is a strong administration in Iran," he said.

Meanwhile, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa called for Sri Lanka's preparedness to face the crisis.He stressed the need to ensure the safety of Sri Lankan expatriates in the region.

Comments - 31

SL Monday, 02 March 2026 01:18 PM

So what exactly do you want — an election, or to run the country yourselves? These opportunistic politicians seem willing to grab power at any cost. Instead of calming the public and responsibly addressing the potential consequences of the war in the Middle East, they appear focused only on political gain. This kind of behavior is one of the main reasons the country is in such a difficult situation today.

2 29

Aela Monday, 02 March 2026 01:38 PM

Yes, yes the whole country knows that and we also know that a set of rogues are waiting like vultures to exploit the situation.

1 29

Idiot festival Monday, 02 March 2026 01:39 PM

Happy about it? But don't be misguided, you won't get the power soon.

0 24

Be Fair Monday, 02 March 2026 01:39 PM

The Homagama Account won't have an impact, I reckon

1 17

Joker Monday, 02 March 2026 01:47 PM

Oh what a great revelation : Sri Lanka will be adversely affected if the conflict in the Middle East is prolonged. Thank you for the great statement as we did not know this. Ha Ha.

1 25

Observer Monday, 02 March 2026 01:48 PM

What great revelations by the three Wise Men.

1 21

Majority will give the President two terms to work on his Manifesto, as the delay is he to bring out the "sheet" we the majority were not aware of and all that takes time for investigations and court Tuesday, 03 March 2026 06:01 PM

Wise Men!! more like desperados cowing down to back seat operator and now after a lot of who ha's decide to join with the alliances with a hope of toppling the President/NPP Govt, not happening in this term or 2029, make an attempt after Anura/NPP have won and completed their second term in Govt.

0 0

Mizaru Monday, 02 March 2026 02:07 PM

Baba, coal comes from South Africa, at least this tender.

2 16

GONE ARE THE 10% DAYS, THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS Tuesday, 03 March 2026 06:04 PM

NO MATTER WHERE THE COAL CAME FROM AT LEAST NO ONE COLLECTED 10%. THE GOVT WILL ENSURE IT COLLECTS THE LOSSES INCURED.

0 1

Kasun Monday, 02 March 2026 02:13 PM

It certainly looks like the entire opposition led by the SJB are praying for Sri Lanka to be affected! That's what this statement by Marrikar means. Should these traitors be allowed to parliament in future?

1 25

HEART FOR THE MAJORITY THAT ONLY FOUND THEIR VOICE IN THE LAST SET OF ELECTIONS. Tuesday, 03 March 2026 06:11 PM

NOOOOOO NEVER AGAIN HAVE TRAITORS, CORRUPT POLITICIANS SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY IN GOVERNMENT AND ANYONE WITH A WEAK BACKBONE TO ENTER PARLIAMENT. WE HAVE HAVE SOME OF THE ABOVE IN PAST GOVT/GOVTS AND IT HAS NOT LITTLE OR NOTHING FOR THE MAJORITY OTHER THAN ALLOW MORE TO SLIP INTO POVERTY AND IN DESPERATION SOME HAVE EVEN TAKEN A WRONG PATH IN THEIR LIVES AND NOW PAYING THE PRICE.

0 1

Upulpb Monday, 02 March 2026 02:17 PM

Entire world is going to be affected and you don't have to let us know that.

1 18

joshua Monday, 02 March 2026 02:18 PM

we do not need your two cents on this. Everybody knows the situ. That shows the class of the opposition. No solutions but empty talk. Nice to see Continuously portraying Namal whose family bankrupted the country.

0 21

Lanka putha Monday, 02 March 2026 02:27 PM

You are absolutely correct. Not only sri lanka but rest of the world. Very good comment

2 9

Ram P Monday, 02 March 2026 02:51 PM

If the war prolong not only Sri Lanka all the countries in the world will be affected. Super prediction by the opposition

0 15

lion Monday, 02 March 2026 02:59 PM

The wish of all these people is to see , what ever way the situation affect the government and they will have parties if the situation get worst and it threaten the survival of the government. They don't care dam for the people of this country. Marikkar is a man who pleaded vehicle permits from Rainl,when the country was suffering due to lack of foreign exchange to import its bear necessities.

1 15

Rocket Scientist Monday, 02 March 2026 03:02 PM

Rocket Seientist is back after many ears of reserch work.

0 17

Gamaka Monday, 02 March 2026 03:20 PM

Yep.. you and your clan are waiting for the country to fall. Filthy scum.

0 16

Pina R Balusinha Monday, 02 March 2026 03:50 PM

Go there and help those people for your Pin Padi and get some Pin Votes!!! Your whole group including Sajith must go there very soon!

0 15

Citizen Monday, 02 March 2026 04:29 PM

Looking for a change to create panic.

0 11

ALL THESE ATTENTION SEEKERS, VOCAL CORDS WERE FROZEN IN TIME DURING THE PAST GOVT IN PARTICULAR AND ARE NOW WORKING OVERTIME TO BRING THE GOVT TO DISREPUTE!!. NEVER GOING TO WORK IN EITHER ONE OF THEI Monday, 02 March 2026 05:44 PM

S.P.M. MUST HAVE BEEN HALLUCINATING WHEN THE COUNTRY WAS RUNNING DRY AND ENDED UP BANKRUPT AND NOW TRYING TO SHOW SJB/HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE COUNTRY!! THE MAJORITY WILL NOT BE FOOLED, YOU LOT SUCK UP TO ONE ANOTHER FOR PERSONAL GAIN, GO TRY AND GET THE US MARINES TO BELIEVE A WORD THAT IS SAID!!. PANIC FUEL BUYING, WHAT DID YOU SAY WHEN THE POOR WERE DROPPING DEAD WHILE STANDING IN QUEUES FOR FUEL!!. ALL COUNTRIES WILL HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT ON THEIR ECONOMY AND WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT, WE ARE NO EXCEPTION TO THE RULE. NAMAL, THE PRESIDENT/NPP GOVT WILL DO THEIR VERY BEST TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY, NOT LIKE YOUR CLAN, LEFT THE COUNTRY DRAINED/BANKRUPT AND THE MAJORITY STRUGGLING, STARVING AND DROPPING DEAD WHILE STANDING IN QUEUES.

0 13

Viktor Monday, 02 March 2026 06:07 PM

Namal must be hoping this would also protect family investments in UAE

0 15

Realistica Adams Monday, 02 March 2026 07:09 PM

These fellows open their big mouths, when they have no influence at all about what happens in SL. When they had their turn they ruined the lives of the people, whereas now we have a government that knows how to look after the interests of the people.

0 13

Jill Monday, 02 March 2026 07:46 PM

Well said Marikkar sir. Without you pointing out a prolonged war in the oil producing regional would also going affect us, the dimwits of Lanka wouldn't have figured it out. You belong with our esteemed Namal sir, your honorable leader Sajith has tried his best but he's too old to carry on the struggle. You need to join hands with the young and intelligent warrior prince Namal, so together you can lead us to prosperity. Namal sir needs a multi ethnic like-minded patriots like you to support in his quest to uplift our nation against exterior imperial forces.

37 6

Dr Tissa Fernando Monday, 02 March 2026 09:48 PM

I toatelly agreeing.

5 6

joshua Monday, 02 March 2026 09:56 PM

Jill why don't you also join the rogues for this worthy cause??? When there are blind people like you, the country will go on the reverse only or there won't be country left

2 7

Nihal S Tuesday, 03 March 2026 03:52 AM

True, what you said is common knowledge. We do not need experienced politicians to make comments on the ME crisis inpact in our country. The every driver and 3-wheel drivers lining to fill their tanks already know what you said. What we want to hear from you is how to mitigate the risks. Do you have any comments on that front?

1 8

Sambo Tuesday, 03 March 2026 07:49 AM

So can you please let us know of what should be done. Don't only criticize but give the soloution as well.

1 3

Foot note Tuesday, 03 March 2026 11:19 AM

Richest country in South Asia during world war II. Trincomalee was a target because of the Imperial rule. Outsourced wealth and sold territories would be a target. Take care.

0 0

Karalasingam Sivalingam Tuesday, 03 March 2026 04:23 PM

Forget party politics, work as a team to uplift our economy. Call off all strikes, agitatations, protests. No party should take advantage of this crisis. According to international news, conflict to continue. Everything depends on how Russia, China and North Korea would get involved.

0 0

Lolo Tuesday, 03 March 2026 06:32 PM

YOUR OTHER WAACHCHAALIYA SUPPORTS ONLY IRAN. WHAT ABOUT MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES. U. A. E. MOST OF ECONOMIC COMING FROM U. A. E. WHAT A BULL SHIT TALK BY P. MUJI

0 1

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