Last Updated:
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced the government will take charge of the Iranian vessel Iris Bushehr and its crew.
The IRIS Dena, which was returning to Iran after an Indian naval exercise off Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, was torpedoed by an American submarine in an unprecedented military escalation on March 4, 2026. (Image: AFP/File)
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Thursday announced that the government will formally take charge of the Iranian vessel IRIS Bushehr and its crew, following days of discussions with relevant authorities, diplomatic missions and the ship’s captain.
The President said the vessel, reported to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 4, had requested permission to enter a Sri Lankan port either on the 4th or 5th.
He further said that the Sri Lanka Navy vessels have already approached Iris Bushehr and the work is on to offload personnel. He said that 208 individuals are prepared to be brought ashore: 53 officers, 84 cadet officers, 48 senior sailors and 21 sailors.
The President said this transfer will take place after all required preparations are complete to ensure the safe landing of all personnel.
This comes a day after a US submarine intercepted and torpedoed the Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean- some 2,000 nautical miles from Iran- killing at least 87 sailors. The IRIS Dena had been returning from a military exercise held at Visakhapatnam in India when it was struck.
Also Read: IRIS Dena Sinking In Indian Ocean: How Do International Waters Differ From Territorial And EEZ?
Sri Lankan authorities rescued 32 sailors during subsequent search operations, but several others remain missing at sea and are presumed dead.
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth confirmed the American attack, describing the destruction of the Iranian warship as a “huge win” for Washington.
On Thursday, News1st quoted the Sri Lankan President saying this was not a routine situation, as the ship belongs to one party of an ongoing conflict, requiring Sri Lanka to proceed strictly according to international obligations. “We cannot act hastily. We must work based on international agreements and commitments. Both parties need to reach an understanding,” he said.
He further said that the Sri Lankan authorities held continuous discussions with the crew, the ship’s captain, and the Iranian Embassy, which kept the Iranian government informed throughout the process.
Although the vessel remained near the Colombo Port area, the President pointed out that Colombo is the country’s primary commercial harbour, and detaining such a vessel there might disrupt the maritime industry. He added that the vessel will be taken to the Trincomalee Port area.
March 05, 2026, 10:39 PM IST
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
