IRIS Dena attack Iranian sailors died due to multiple injuries, drowning

By D.G. Sugathapala   

The head of the team of Judicial Medical Officers who  performed the postmortem on the bodies of Iranian navy personnel, Prof.  U.C.P.Perera said the death had occurred to them due to multiple  injuries and drowning   

These Iranian navy personnel died after their warship,  named IRIS Dena, was attacked by a US submarine off the coast of Sri  Lanka.  Prof. Perera said the bodies would have to be left at the Karapitiya National Hospital morgue indefinitely. 

He said the hospital morgue is spacious enough only for 40  bodies and that the hospital management has taken steps to protect the  rest of the bodies on ice in another building.   

“We have received two containers with deep freezer  facility, but maintaining the temperature between minus 20-30 centigrade  is a serious challenge. However, the bodies were placed in them with  due respect. This would result in a heavy electricity bill, but it is  the responsibility to preserve the 84 bodies,” he said.   

He said 20 navy personnel were provided treatment and  released to Welisara Naval Base, and ten others are still under  treatment.   

Galle Chief Magistrate Samira Dodangoda and Addl. Magistrate Maheshika Wijetunga held the magisterial inquiry.   

Prof. U.C.P.Perera, Dr Ajith Ranaweera, Dr Janaki Warushahandi, and Dr Rohan Ruwanpura had performed the postmortem.