A spokesperson for the Sri Lanka Navy announced a plan to send navy ships to the Red Sea aimed at protecting commercial ships from Houthi rebel attacks.
Codenamed Operation Prosperity Guardian, the multinational task force with headquarters in Bahrain was formed last month.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen have allegedly launched 25 attacks on commercial ships since December 31.
Tensions further soared after American and British troops struck Houthi targets last week.
Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the strategic waterway especially those bound for Israel.
The attacks became more frequent since Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza to avenge the deadly Hamas attack on October 7.
The escalating tensions affected global maritime trade and also endangered the lives of thousands of Sri Lankan seafarers who are working thousands of miles away from home and sailing in the ocean for their families.
An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Sri Lankans are working on foreign vessels. The ongoing conflict sparked concerns about them being just a few steps away from danger’s path.
