• Source:JND
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US-Iran War: Amid tension in the Indian Ocean, following the US submarine sinking Iran's IRIS Dena, Sri Lanka came forward to help another Iranian warship, IRINS Bushehr, on Thursday. Sri Lankan authorities said they allowed a second Iranian ship to dock at the eastern port of Trincomalee. Sri Lankan Naval officials also evacuated all 208 personnel on board.

Sri Lanka Maintains Neutral Stand While Offering Humanitarian Support

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made a calculated statement in a televised address, asserting that his country wants to maintain a neutral stand. A day after another Iranian frigate was sunk near Sri Lanka, Dissanayake said the vessel had sought permission to enter Sri Lankan waters, citing an engine failure.

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"We wanted to remain neutral while dealing with a humanitarian response. Sri Lanka's role was limited to responding to a request from one party involved in the conflict. No one deserves to die. Every life is precious," the President said.

He also criticised opposition parties for attempting to politicise the situation. "We won't succumb to pressure. We will maintain our neutrality," Dissanayake said.

All Personnel On Board Evacuated

The Iranian ship had 208 personnel on board, comprising 53 officers, 84 cadets, 48 senior sailors and 23 seamen, all of whom were evacuated by the Sri Lankan officials after the ship was allowed to dock.

Earlier in the day, government spokesman and minister Nalinda Jayathissa had told Parliament that a second Iranian ship was waiting in Sri Lanka's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the coast of Panadura after seeking emergency assistance. He was responding to a query by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.

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Iran Vows Revenge For Warship Sinking

Iran strongly reacted to the sinking of its warship by the US submarine, vowing revenge. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi said the US will come to bitterly regret the precedent it has set.

"The U.S. has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran's shores. Frigate Dena, a guest of India's Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning. Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret the precedent it has set," he wrote on X.
(With PTI inputs)


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