Sri Lankan FM holds separate telephone talks with counterparts of Israel, Iran

COLOMBO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has held separate telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Israel and Iran as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, raising concerns over the safety of Sri Lankan nationals living in the region.

Herath said he spoke with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Thursday regarding the well-being of the Sri Lankan diaspora currently residing in Israel.

He added that he received assurances from the Israeli side regarding the safety of Sri Lankan nationals.

A day earlier, Herath held a telephone discussion with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East.

During the conversation, the minister conveyed concern over the escalation of hostilities in the region and emphasized the importance of diplomacy in restoring regional peace and stability.