(Lanka-e-News -04.March.2026, 9.30 PM) The Sri Lanka Navy has rescued 32 people from an Iranian Navy ship that capsized in international waters about 40 nautical miles off the Galle harbor and admitted them to the Galle Karapitiya Hospital. Several bodies floating in the sea have also been found.
Those hospitalized reportedly suffered burns and cuts.
Speaking in Parliament today (04), Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said that the Iranian Navy ship IRIS Dena did not crash in Sri Lankan waters, but that the operation was carried out because it was a responsibility to save lives.
The Navy launched the rescue operation following a message received by the Navy that the ship was sinking.
"There was an Iranian ship off our territorial waters. We received a message today that the ship was sinking. We intervened at six in the morning. The air force and navy intervened and rescued thirty-two people who were in serious danger. There were one hundred and thirty people on that ship. The thirty-two people who were in serious danger have now been taken to the Karapitiya Hospital.
If a ship is in danger off our territorial waters, we are obligated to protect lives on a humanitarian basis. We clearly intervened," the Foreign Minister said.
When the navy and air force reached the relevant location, the ship had completely sunk.
The Sri Lanka Navy has categorically denied the claim that the Sri Lanka Navy claimed that the Iranian vessel was attacked by a submarine.
Navy Spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath said at a press conference held at the Government Information Department today that search and rescue operations in the area are still ongoing.
The Navy Spokesperson further said,
“Our primary focus is on saving the lives of the stricken vessel. Only after that will we be able to conduct an investigation and obtain a technical report on how this happened. Our main focus is to rescue any other crew members who may be safe. We will have to say how many were lost on this vessel later.”
"According to the information we received, when we went to the scene of the accident, we only saw a large oil slick. Therefore, we can declare that the ship has sunk. However, Sri Lanka has so far rescued 32 people from the ship and admitted them to the Karapitiya Hospital in Galle. We can only give further details after obtaining information from them."
US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth says that an Iranian ship was sunk in international waters using a torpedo from a US submarine.
Speaking to international media, he said that it was the first time since World War II that an enemy ship was sunk using a torpedo.
He also added that "we are fighting to win."
"Yesterday, an American submarine sank an Iranian warship that we thought was safe in international waters. It was sunk using a torpedo. A silent death. It was the first time since World War II that an enemy ship was sunk using a torpedo. We are fighting to win. Of course, America will win without any apologies..."
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by (2026-03-04 16:14:31)
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