Sri Lanka has joined a global pledge to uphold international law at sea and protect freedom of navigation, the European Union (EU) delegation in Sri Lanka said in a statement on X.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas announced the pledge on 12 October. It is supported by all EU member states and 34 other countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Korea, Oman and the Philippines.
Signatories commit to oppose unlawful tolls, fees, prior authorisation requirements and discriminatory restrictions on lawful passage. They also pledge to reject coercive and unilateral actions that undermine maritime law, and to work through bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The pledge is based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The EU said disruption to key waterways affects trade, energy supplies, supply chains and food security.
As an island nation that depends on shipping for imports and exports, Sri Lanka has a direct interest in open sea lanes, including the busy routes that pass south of the island.
The EU said it also supports defensive and non-escalatory multilateral initiatives to preserve freedom of navigation.
