“Sri Lanka’s emerging foreign policy represents a 'power of example' for humanity amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East.”

“Prof. Mendis argued that Sri Lanka’s evolving diplomatic posture demonstrates how a small island nation can navigate great-power competition while maintaining humanitarian principles.”

“A returning Iranian naval vessel that had participated in an Indian-led exercise was torpedoed near Sri Lanka’s southern coast.”

“The Sri Lankan government responded swiftly by launching a humanitarian rescue mission that saved survivors and recovered the bodies of fallen sailors.”

“Survivors were treated at Galle Hospital, while another Iranian naval vessel was escorted safely under international maritime and humanitarian law.”

“Sri Lanka served as a crossroads of commerce linking the Roman Empire, the Middle Kingdom, and maritime trading networks across Asia and the Middle East as early as 250 BC.”

“The arrival of European colonial powers transformed Sri Lanka's hydraulic civilisation into a plantation economy producing tea, rubber, and coconut for global markets.”

“Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike maintained the historic Rubber-Rice Agreement with China.”

“President J. R. Jayewardene later deepened ties with Washington, famously presenting a baby elephant to U.S. President Ronald Reagan on the White House lawn.”

“Prof. Mendis began public service with the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee during the Reagan administration.”

“Drawing on the foreign policy philosophy of President Thomas Jefferson — 'peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none' — Prof. Mendis argued that trade historically has served as a powerful force for cooperation.”

“King Parakramabahu of Polonnaruwa maintained active trade links with China during the 12th century, exporting rice and importing silk.”

“Sri Lanka has long embodied a similarly cosmopolitan tradition, with archaeological discoveries such as the fifth-century Anuradhapura Cross demonstrating early Christian presence.”

“In his book, 'Trade for Peace,' he emphasizes how the 'Commerce Clause' of the US Constitution helped unite the original 13 American colonies into what has since grown into a federation of 50 states.”

“The Anuradhapura Cross is now on the flag of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka.”

“Sri Lanka’s current diplomatic orientation is described as an 'Anthropogenic Foreign Policy,' reflecting a synthesis of civilisational heritage, pragmatic governance, and geopolitical awareness.”

“China’s ancient Silk Road networks, he noted, echoed a similar logic and are reflected today in President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).”

“President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s diplomatic outreach to China, India, and the United States demonstrates a willingness to transcend ideological alignments.”

“When the Ming admiral Zheng He visited Sri Lanka in 1409, he erected the famous Galle Trilingual Tablet in Chinese, Persian, and Tamil — a monument symbolising a vision of peaceful coexistence through commerce.”

“Sri Lanka's foreign policy is described as a 'power of example' in the context of Middle Eastern military tensions.”

“History shows that trade can both unite and divide nations, Prof. Mendis acknowledged.”

“The United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding this year.”

“In 1784, the United States sent its first official trading vessel, 'Empress of China,' from New York Harbor to Canton, carrying American ginseng.”

“A fully rules-based global trading system, he added, remains an unfinished project of the United States.”