Iranian Sailors offered Humanitarian Visas by Sri Lanka: SL has decided to grant free one-month humanitarian visas to 218 Iranian sailors rescued from two vessels following a U.S. submarine attack. The announcement was made by Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala on March 9, 2026.
Minister Wijepala emphasized that this decision aligns with international law and is not intended to support or harm any particular party. The sailors were rescued from the ‘Iris Dena’ frigate, which was sunk, and the ‘Iris Bushehr.’
Of the 32 sailors from the ‘Iris Dena,’ 10 remain under treatment at Karapitiya Hospital in Galle, while 22 have been discharged. The rescue followed a torpedo attack by a U.S. submarine on March 4, 2026.
Sri Lanka has yet to decide on the repatriation of these sailors. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated that Sri Lanka would continue to adhere strictly to international laws in handling the situation.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 9, 2026
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