Sri Lanka to Uphold International Law for Rescued Iranian Sailors
NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka has committed to treating Iranian sailors rescued from a torpedoed frigate in accordance with international law, a minister announced on Saturday. This comes amid reports suggesting that the U.S. is urging Sri Lanka not to send them back to Iran.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath shared this information during a conference in New Delhi. He stated that Sri Lanka is currently caring for 32 sailors from the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, as part of its responsibilities under international treaties.
The IRIS Dena was sunk by a U.S. submarine on Wednesday near Sri Lanka’s southern coast. In response, the Sri Lankan navy took action to rescue survivors and recover the bodies of 84 sailors who had died in the incident.
When asked about possible pressure from the U.S. regarding the repatriation of the Iranians, Herath chose not to respond directly. He affirmed, “We have taken all the steps according to international laws.”
Additionally, Sri Lanka provided assistance to another Iranian warship, the IRIS Bushehr. Following engine trouble, the ship was taken to Trincomalee on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka, where its 219 crew members were safely evacuated.
In a related development, India announced that it has allowed a third Iranian warship, the IRIS Lavan, to dock in one of its ports on humanitarian grounds after it also faced operational issues. The Lavan arrived at Kochi on Wednesday, and many onboard were reported to be young cadets who have since disembarked and are being cared for nearby.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that the country will adhere to the Hague Convention, which mandates that a neutral state must hold combatants from a warring nation until conflicts cease.
A senior official confirmed that Sri Lanka is in discussions with the International Committee of the Red Cross to manage the needs of the survivors from the IRIS Dena. International humanitarian law applies to these survivors, meaning they can request to go back home if they choose.
Iranian diplomats in Colombo have requested the return of the remains of the 84 sailors who lost their lives in the U.S. attack.
