Sri Lanka has taken control of an Iranian naval vessel, the Irins Bushehr, after it requested to dock due to engine malfunction, just a day following the US sinking of another Iranian warship, the Iris Dena, in nearby waters. The US attack, which killed at least 87 crew members, marked a dramatic escalation in the widening Middle East conflict.
On Wednesday, the Iris Dena, carrying around 180 crew as part of a multinational exercise in the Bay of Bengal, was torpedoed approximately 44 nautical miles off Sri Lanka’s southern coast. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described the sinking as a historic demonstration of American naval capability, claiming it was “the first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War Two.” Iran condemned the attack as an “atrocity at sea,” with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warning the US would “bitterly regret” the strike.
The following day, the Irins Bushehr requested permission to dock at a Sri Lankan port after reporting engine issues. Following hours of deliberation, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake authorised docking at the northeastern port of Trincomalee rather than the commercial hub of Colombo, citing potential disruptions to the country’s maritime industry. A total of 208 crew members were evacuated, including 53 officers, 84 cadet officers, 48 senior sailors, and 23 sailors, with plans to transport them to Colombo for further assistance.
“Our position has been to safeguard our neutrality while demonstrating our humanitarian values,” President Dissanayake said. “Sri Lanka intervened in a way that demonstrated our commitment to international conventions, protecting human lives, and the reputation of our country.” The South Asian nation has stressed it will remain neutral in the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, balancing its historical non-alignment policy with humanitarian obligations.
Sri Lanka continues to search its waters for missing Iris Dena crew members. The 32 survivors are being treated in Galle for serious injuries. The country maintains strong economic and diplomatic ties with both nations, importing $250 million worth of Iranian crude oil repaid through monthly tea exports while the US remains the main destination for Sri Lankan garments and apparel.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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