If the response hadn't taken eleven hours, more lives could have been saved.

Here are the views expressed by SJB Member of Parliament Ajith P. Perera, who appeared on a television program:

I remember it was said in Parliament that day that social media is used while coming from home. It's not wrong to provide information one has to society. Speaking in Parliament is also not wrong. If it puts pressure on the President, there's nothing we can do about it. But what happened when that pressure was gone? There were eleven hours to respond. Yesterday, these lives were not saved, but they could have been saved. Those lives are lives, and these lives are also lives. That's why we tell the President, you are the President of this country. The people of this country have entrusted you with the responsibility of this country, not to chase after such petty things.

We also have empathy. They are a friendly nation to us. They were within a reachable distance in our sea, in our neighboring region, where we could help save them. So how can we establish a balance among powers like the United States, Israel, and Iran and use diplomatic methods? It's valuable to do what needs to be done, even at this last moment. We appreciate what should be appreciated. Even though we are the opposition, how can we not talk about this? We need to know if there are exactly 208 people on this ship. But when 300 becomes 208, what profit do you gain?

Therefore, Honorable President, as I said before, fulfill your responsibility. There is something to be done for that.

Honestly, from the bottom of our hearts, we are also empathetic people. We cannot forget these things. Remember, how much they help protect this country's power system today through the Uma Oya project? Even now, the tunnels carrying water to the North are being built with Iranian technology. The only refinery we have today was also built by Iran. They were a friendly country to us.

They may have shortcomings. Also, there is no need for us to approve Iran's agenda in international politics. However, when these issues arose between our friendly nations like Iran and America, lives were lost within our territory because we were delayed in responding. Therefore, blaming us to cover up that shame is not right. That is completely wrong. We said this because that is not what should be done. Now a problem has arisen for our friend.