Colombo, March 6 – In a significant development amid regional tensions, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that his government has assumed control of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Bushehr in accordance with international maritime regulations. Acting as a neutral nation, Sri Lanka is managing the ship and its crew responsibly, ensuring compliance with global standards including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The IRIS Bushehr, an Iranian naval ship, had recently participated in the International Fleet Review-2026, a collaborative maritime exercise hosted by India. This event also featured the IRIS Dena warship, which tragically sank off Sri Lanka’s southern coast following an alleged attack by a US submarine, as reported by international sources.
President Dissanayake, addressing a packed press conference, revealed that the Bushehr contacted Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry on March 4 seeking permission to enter a local port. ‘Sri Lanka, guided by humanitarian principles, is handling this extraordinary situation with utmost care,’ he stated. Officials have initiated procedures to bring the crew ashore and relocate the vessel away from the country’s primary commercial harbor in Colombo.
Describing the scenario as unprecedented due to the ship’s origin from a nation embroiled in conflict, the President detailed ongoing consultations with the ship’s captain, crew, and Iranian embassy representatives. The decision prioritizes commercial sensitivities, opting not to dock at Colombo Port. Instead, Sri Lankan naval vessels will transport the crew to safety in Colombo, while towing the ship to the Trincomalee port area in the east.
The crew comprises 53 officers, 84 cadet officers, 48 senior sailors, and 21 sailors – totaling over 200 personnel. Upon landing, they will undergo medical checks and registration before being housed at the Navy Camp in Welisara, Western Province. Post-evacuation, a joint team including Sri Lankan navy personnel and 42 crew members will guide the vessel to Trincomalee.
This measured response underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to international obligations while safeguarding its strategic maritime interests. As tensions simmer in the Indian Ocean region, Colombo’s actions are being closely watched by global powers.