Around 47 vessels have currently been identified anchored in international waters near Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary amid the ongoing military conflict between the United States and Iran, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said on Tuesday (8).

He said the vessels are stationed beyond 24 nautical miles from Sri Lanka’s territorial sea boundary.

The group includes Iranian vessels as well as vessels of other nationalities, and they have been identified as commercial and cargo vessels.

None of the vessels have requested any facilities or assistance from Sri Lanka so far, and Sri Lanka has not provided any facilities to them.

However, the Navy is currently monitoring the situation, while the Minister assured that there has been no Government intervention regarding the matter.