Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath made headlines in New Delhi on March 7, pledging adherence to international law in managing the aftermath of a US submarine’s strike on an Iranian warship. The 32 survivors from the IRIS Dena frigate will be treated accordingly, he confirmed at a key conference.
Amid whispers of US entreaties to bar their repatriation, Herath laid out Colombo’s position clearly. Following the Wednesday torpedo attack off Sri Lanka’s south coast, naval rescuers extracted the crew from perilous waters. ‘International treaties dictate our care for these 32 IRIS Dena sailors,’ he noted.
On US pressure queries, his response was steadfast: ‘All steps taken are per international legal frameworks.’ Recounting the March 4 event, the frigate—back from Indian joint maneuvers with 130 souls—was obliterated without notice in international territory. Iran’s Seyed Abbas Araghchi decried it on X as Yankee ferocity, vowing future regrets for the perpetrators.
Colombo’s efforts doubled down with the IRIS Bushehr rescue. One day post-Dena, the vessel’s 219 crew, facing engine woes, were guided to safety at Trincomalee harbor.
This unfolding saga positions Sri Lanka as a beacon of impartiality. Herath’s declarations not only address immediate humanitarian needs but also signal a broader commitment to maritime governance, potentially influencing future Indo-Pacific dynamics.