Sri Lanka rescues second Iranian vessel lingering near its waters

• The President said the crew of the Iranian vessel IRIS Bushehr will be brought ashore to the Port of Colombo while  the ship is being escorted to Trincomalee Harbor
• The President also dismissed rumors circulating on social media claiming that 300 children were on board the Iranian ship, stressing that the information was false
• It was learnt that the President convened a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the situation and determine the next course of action regarding the vessel currently within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone
• According to the reports, IRINS Bushehr is a 107-meter-long ship manned by over 200 crew members

By Dharshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

After a thorough assessment of the situation, Sri Lanka decided yesterday evening to extend humanitarian assistance to the second Iranian ship lingering near its territorial waters.   
Addressing a hurriedly summoned press conference, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the crew will be disembarked for humanitarian assistance while the ship moved to Trincomalee Harbor.  
The President said the Iranian vessel IRIS Bushehr will be brought ashore to the Port of Colombo before being escorted to Trincomalee Harbor.  
He said the Sri Lanka Navy has made arrangements to safely transport the 208 personnel onboard the vessel to Colombo.  
They will be subject to medical tests first. The government will take care of their needs including food.  
The President also dismissed rumors circulating on social media claiming that 300 children were on board the Iranian ship, stressing that the information was false.  
Meanwhile, commenting on the broader situation in the region, President Dissanayake reiterated that Sri Lanka will maintain a neutral stance amid the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.  
He assured that Sri Lanka would not allow its land, territorial waters and airspace to be used in an inmical manner against any country.  
He said the government will continue to fulfill its international obligations while taking necessary humanitarian measures regarding the individuals aboard the vessel.  
The President also urged all parties not to exploit the situation for narrow political purposes, emphasizing the need for responsible conduct during what he described as a sensitive period.  
The Sri Lankan government’s decision came after the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry and other relevant agencies assessed the requirements sought by the ship while continuing humanitarian assistance to those on board The vessel, IRINS Bushehr, was located within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as of yesterday and had sought urgent permission to enter the Port of Colombo.   
According to the reports, IRINS Bushehr is a 107-meter-long ship manned by over 200 crew members.  
The situation developed following the destruction of the Iranian vessel, IRIS Dena, which was struck by a torpedo from a United States submarine on March 4, 2026. The vessel had issued a distress call early Wednesday while positioned about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle. More than 100 sailors were reported killed in the attack, while Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force personnel managed to rescue about 32 to 35 survivors. The rescued crew members were admitted to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for treatment.  
Over 80 bodies have been recovered from the Iranian naval ship IRIS Dena and are being kept at the Karapitiya Hospital mortuary. It was reported that several bodies of Iranian sailors are being kept on ice outside the mortuary after the facility exceeded its storage capacity.  
Shortly after the incident, the IRINS Bushehr also reported distress and requested permission to dock in Colombo.  
Chief Government Whip and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed in Parliament yesterday that another Iranian vessel was present within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone. He made the statement in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa regarding whether the government was aware of the vessel within Sri Lankan waters.  Jayatissa said the President, the National Security Council and the government were aware of the matter and were taking necessary steps regarding the safety of those on board.  
“The government is aware of the matter. We are making necessary interventions to resolve this issue, minimize loss of lives and ensure regional security. This vessel is not in our territorial waters. It is within the Exclusive Economic Zone. Nevertheless, we are making maximum interventions regarding the lives of those on board. A complete report will be submitted to Parliament,” he said. It was learnt that the President convened a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the situation and determine the next course of action regarding the vessel currently within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone.  
The issue was raised in Parliament yesterday, with opposition members accusing the government of failing to uphold international law within Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa demanded a clear statement identifying the attackers of IRIS Dena, clarifying whether a torpedo was involved, and condemning the incident.   
National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Namal Rajapaksa has also called on the government to clarify its position regarding the vessel seeking permission for an urgent port call.  He said the government must state its stance on the issue and suggested that authorities consider precedents in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy.  
Rajapaksa referred to the decision taken by former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, when Sri Lanka maintained a neutral policy and allowed a Pakistani aircraft to refuel at Bandaranaike International Airport after India closed its airspace to Pakistani aircraft.  
 The IRINS Bushehr had previously visited the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on February 16, 2024.  
Meanwhile, former MP and National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa has also raised concerns regarding the government’s handling of the issue.   Weerawansa questioned whether President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was acting under pressure from the United States in denying the vessel access to the Colombo Port.  
He said that three Iranian naval ships had been sailing towards India to attend an international military exhibition and that one of the vessels was currently positioned in deep waters off the Panadura coast.   According to Weerawansa, the ship had been seeking permission to enter Colombo Port since Wednesday evening and was visible from the shore.  
He alleged that officials from the United States Embassy had exerted pressure on Sri Lankan authorities regarding the matter and warned of possible consequences if the vessel was allowed to dock.  
Weerawansa urged the President to maintain Sri Lanka’s non-aligned foreign policy and said the vessel was likely seeking entry for technical assistance or essential services rather than military purposes.