Sri Lanka says aid to Iranian naval personnel followed international maritime law

Sri Lanka provided humanitarian assistance to 27 Iranian naval personnel brought ashore after falling ill on vessels outside the country’s territorial waters in accordance with international maritime law and recognised humanitarian principles, Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni said.

Addressing the media, Wijemuni said Sri Lanka’s response was guided by its international obligations and that humanitarian assistance would be provided irrespective of nationality, religion or country of origin.

The 27 crew members were brought ashore on Friday after falling ill aboard Iranian crude oil tankers anchored off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, according to the Southern Province Senior Deputy Inspector General’s Office.

The evacuation was carried out following intervention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the Sri Lanka Navy deploying two craft to transport the affected personnel to Galle Port.

The crew members were subsequently transferred to a private hospital in Colombo for treatment.

Wijemuni also referred to an earlier incident involving the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena off the Sri Lankan coast, saying local emergency teams had provided medical treatment to injured personnel and assisted survivors. Arrangements had also been made to repatriate the bodies of those killed to Iran, he said.

The Deputy Minister said strict adherence to established international procedures would help Sri Lanka meet its humanitarian obligations while avoiding unnecessary diplomatic complications.

He said Sri Lanka would continue to act transparently and in accordance with international maritime conventions when responding to similar incidents.