Navy maintains high alert following Iranian frigate incident

Colombo, March 16 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Navy had been put on high alert within the country's territorial waters to ensure continued stability and safety following the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Galle, Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekera said.

The Deputy Minister reassured the public that there is no immediate threats to national security.

Sri Lanka Navy remains on high alert and continues its routine maritime surveillance operations within the country's territorial waters to ensure continued stability and safety.

Meanwhile, Deputy Defence Minister said yesterday that the government has successfully completed the repatriation of remains of the 84 Iranian sailors killed when their frigate, IRIS Dena, was sunk by a US submarine on March 4, 2026, near Galle, Sri Lanka.

The bodies were flown back to Iran on Saturday night following extensive coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Tehran, and the Iranian government.

Currently, 239 individuals rescued from the vessels are being held under Sri Lankan military custody. The Deputy Minister detailed that 32 individuals were rescued from the first vessel, while 207 were rescued from the second. These foreign nationals are currently stationed at the Welisara and Koggala facilities for further processing.

Minister Jayasekera said that Sri Lanka has maintained a strictly neutral and professional stance throughout the management of this crisis.

"By ensuring the country did not show bias toward any warring parties involved in the regional maritime conflict, the government has been able to manage the situation effectively without escalating national security concerns," the minister said.