## Sajith Premadasa Calls for Peace Zone as Maritime Tensions Rise 📈

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has urged international restraint to maintain the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, warning that escalating regional hostilities threaten Sri Lanka’s fragile economic recovery. • Regional Escalation: The call follows the sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in international waters off Sri Lanka and the subsequent docking of the IRIS Bushehr in Trincomalee. • Economic Risks: Premadasa cautioned that "asymmetric warfare" and a widening Middle East conflict pose severe risks to smaller nations, specifically noting that Sri Lanka is still navigating its way out of the 2022 economic crisis. • Humanitarian Response: The Sri Lankan Government confirmed it will assist IRIS Dena survivors under international protocols and humanitarian obligations. • Strategic Outlook: The Opposition Leader emphasized that preventing the conflict from spreading is essential to protect the domestic economy and regional stability.