Sri Lanka Repatriates 238 Iranian Sailors Stranded After Warship Attack

In a significant humanitarian gesture, Sri Lanka has successfully repatriated 238 Iranian sailors who were left stranded in the South Asian nation following attacks on their warships. This operation, overseen by Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara, saw sailors rescued from the IRIS Dena and the IRIS Bushehr return to Iran on a chartered aircraft. The successful repatriation underscores Sri Lanka's commitment to international maritime law and humanitarian principles, even amidst a complex geopolitical climate.

The incident highlights the far-reaching impact of the Middle East conflict, which has now spilled into the Indian Ocean. The attack on the IRIS Dena, a frigate torpedoed by a US submarine, resulted in the tragic loss of 104 sailors, with bodies recovered and repatriated. The IRIS Bushehr, another vessel caught in the crossfire, was granted safe harbor in Sri Lanka. While most of its crew have now returned home, a small contingent remains to operate the vessel, demonstrating the ongoing complexities of maritime security and international relations.

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A few sailors from the IRIS Bushehr are staying back to operate the vessel, but 206 joined those rescued from the IRIS Dena and returned home last night in a chartered aircraft.

Sri Lanka's stance throughout this crisis has been one of careful neutrality. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the island's adherence to the 1907 Hague Convention by providing protection to the Bushehr crew on humanitarian grounds. Furthermore, Sri Lanka has actively refused permission for US warplanes to use its ground facilities, a clear signal of its determination to remain equidistant from the escalating tensions. This principled approach, prioritizing humanitarian aid and neutrality, sets Sri Lanka apart and reflects a foreign policy deeply rooted in peace and non-alignment, a perspective often missed by international coverage that tends to focus solely on the military aspects of such events.

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The island provided protection to the Bushehr crew on humanitarian grounds in line with the 1907 Hague Convention.