Israeli nationals have not only recently started visiting Sri Lanka; they have held high-ranking positions within the British colonial administration in the country. After Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, D.S. Senanayake’s government chose to establish relations with Israel, even as other South Asian nations were cautious. Senanayake’s administration purchased weapons and ships from Israel. However, the subsequent governments of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and Sirimavo Bandaranaike distanced themselves from Israel, recognizing the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
In 1977, J.R. Jayewardene’s government reestablished relations with Israel. During the war in the North, the administration sought support from Israeli military experts and purchased Israeli weapons. Israel’s top professionals were also enlisted for the massive Mahaweli Development Project. Jayewardene permitted Israel to establish an Interests Section in Sri Lanka.
During the inauguration of the Biyagama Free Trade Zone, then Minister of Industries Ranil Wickremesinghe invited Israeli representatives, seating them next to the Indian High Commissioner Dixit. Jayewardene suggested to Ranil, “Introduce our new friends to Dixit.” Ranil introduced the Israelis to Dixit, who was visibly displeased as India was then opposed to Israel. In his book The Colombo Assignment, Dixit wrote that Ranil’s introduction of the Israelis embarrassed him, as per Jayewardene’s instructions. India’s intervention in Sri Lanka was driven by concerns over Mossad’s involvement in the country through these diplomatic ties.
After Ranasinghe Premadasa assumed the presidency in 1988, a former Mossad agent, Victor Ostrovsky, published a book, By Way of Deception, alleging that Mossad not only trained Sri Lankan military and police but also provided countermeasures for the LTTE. Upon publication, Premadasa established a commission—known as the Wadugodapitiya Commission—to investigate the claims.
During Jayewardene’s administration, Lalith Athulathmudali maintained close relations with Israel and served as a lecturer at an Israeli university. Following Jayewardene’s direction, he engaged closely with Israel as Minister of National Security. Similarly, Gamini Dissanayake developed ties with Israel for the Mahaweli Project, which fostered further diplomatic relations. Jayewardene’s son, Ravi Jayewardene, established the Special Task Force (STF) with guidance from Mossad, which trained the STF in counterinsurgency tactics to combat the JVP insurgency.
Following the release of the commission’s report, President Premadasa closed the Israeli Interests Section and ordered Israeli nationals to leave the country. Premadasa believed Mossad, through Lalith and Gamini, orchestrated his impeachment. In Parliament, he openly criticized Mossad, remarking, “I expelled the Israeli Interests Section. It’s no surprise that Mossad is rising against me. Let’s not forget, some among us have studied in Israeli universities and profited from teaching there.”
After Premadasa’s assassination, Chandrika Kumaratunga’s government was elected on an anti-Israel platform but opened an Israeli embassy in 2000, seeking assistance in the ongoing war. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who chaired the Sri Lanka-Palestine Friendship Society, also engaged closely with Israel to bolster wartime efforts, with Sri Lankan workers gaining employment in Israel during his term.
The wartime alliance laid the groundwork for Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s friendship with Israel. Ranil Wickremesinghe, as President, strengthened ties further by dispatching Sri Lankan forces to combat Houthi insurgents in the Red Sea, for which Israel facilitated more job opportunities for Sri Lankans.
After Anura became president, Chile submitted a proposal to the United Nations (UN) opposing Israel’s decision to restrict the UN Secretary-General’s visit. Many countries supported it, but Sri Lanka initially did not. Following criticism from former MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, Sri Lanka later signed the document, highlighting inconsistencies in Anura’s foreign policy, which appeared entangled with economic interests, suggesting that playing with foreign policy directly impacts the economy.
