Sri Lankan authorities provided medical care to 40 Iranian sailors and facilitated their repatriation. The response highlights Colombo’s delicate balance between humanitarian needs and sanctions risks.
Sri Lanka provided medical assistance to 40 Iranian sailors after receiving a distress call from ships anchored near its waters, news agency Press Trust of India reported. The sailors were later repatriated to Tehran.
The sailors were brought ashore at the southern port of Galle on Saturday, received initial medical treatment and left Sri Lanka early on Sunday.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Thushara Rodrigo told PTI that Sri Lankan authorities had received a distress call seeking medical help. He said he did not have details about the ships from which the sailors had arrived.
The sailors were transported to the shore in vessels arranged by the Iranian Embassy and local shipping agents. The ministry completed the immigration and other administrative formalities, Rodrigo said.
Iranian oil tankers have been anchored off Sri Lanka for the past several months after the US resumed its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, leaving dozens of vessels stranded and unable to return home.
The situation has drawn attention in recent weeks after Sri Lankan authorities said 19 ships were stationed about 24 nautical miles from the country’s coast. The ships had reported shortages of food, water and fuel.
Two weeks ago, the Sri Lankan government said it had no immediate plans to help the ships and would put its national interest first before considering assistance. It also said companies supplying ships were aware of possible secondary sanctions from the US.
The development comes nearly seven months after a US torpedo attack sank the Iranian naval ship IRIS Dena, killing 87 sailors. The ship was returning home after taking part in a naval exercise at India’s invitation.
A second Iranian ship was brought to a Sri Lankan port after its crew reported technical problems. Sailors injured in the earlier incident and treated in Sri Lankan hospitals, along with those rescued from the second ship, were safely repatriated to Iran.
Sri Lanka is recovering from an economic crisis, while both the US and Iran are important trading partners. The US played a key role in supporting an International Monetary Fund bailout deal and helping Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector avert a food crisis.
Sri Lanka’s latest response involved bringing the 40 sailors ashore for treatment, completing the required formalities and facilitating their return to Iran.
With PTI Inputs
