• Says decision taken under int’l maritime conventions
• US claims SL free to decide fate of sailors and warship
• States Law of Armed Conflict authorised use of force to destroy ‘valid military targets’

Sri Lanka has granted one-month relief visas to Iranian sailors rescued from two vessels currently in its waters, with authorities confirming they will remain in the country temporarily until arrangements are made for their departure.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala yesterday (8) said the decision was taken strictly in line with international maritime conventions and humanitarian principles, despite mounting geopolitical tension surrounding the sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena and the presence of the IRIS Bushehr near Sri Lanka.

“Even under a state of war, parties who are in distress or affected can be rescued,” Wijepala said, stressing that Sri Lanka acted with a “neutral and non-aligned policy.”

The rescued sailors, including 32 survivors from the Dena, will receive medical treatment, health check-ups and necessary care during their stay.

“We have provided a relief visa of about one month for these rescued persons. They will be kept in this country for some time until they can depart. Throughout that period, we will perform the task of looking after them with humanitarian care,” he said.

The Minister’s remarks come amid controversy over the reported sinking of what Iran claims was an “unarmed” warship in international waters, and a Reuters report citing an allegedly leaked US State Department cable. According to Reuters, the internal cable said Jayne Howell, the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Colombo, had emphasised that neither the Bushehr crew nor the 32 Dena survivors should be repatriated to Iran, and that Sri Lankan authorities should “minimise Iranian attempts to use the detainees for propaganda.” A US State Department spokesperson later suggested Washington was not attempting to dictate Sri Lanka’s decision.

However, an unnamed U.S. State Department spokesperson said the US “respects and recognises Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in the handling of this situation”. The spokesperson added the final decision regarding the vessel, its crew and the Iranian sailors rescued at sea rests solely with Sri Lanka, in accordance with the country’s domestic laws and international legal obligations.

Minister Wijepala in the meantime, reiterated that Sri Lanka does not support any party to the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel.

“We do not support any party, nor do we act in a way that distresses any party. We act by prioritising humanitarianism with neutrality,” he said.

He further assured that humanitarian considerations would not undermine national security, stating that the Government has strengthened security measures and will not permit any threat to arise while handling the matter.

On the other hand, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, in a message posted on X stated the Iranian claims that IRIS Dena was unarmed was false. It also stated that the Law of Armed Conflict authorised the US the use of force to target and destroy valid military targets and that US forces planned for and Sri Lanka provided life-saving support to survivors in accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict.

India, meanwhile, stated that it had allowed a third Iranian warship, the IRIS Lavan, to dock in one of its ports on humanitarian grounds after it too reported operational problems.

The three vessels had been part of a multinational fleet review held by India shortly before the conflict in the Middle East began last week.