Sri Lanka Sent Home 238 Iranian Sailors, Including Survivors Of A U.s. Torpedo Attack

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka has sent location 238 Iranian sailors, including 32 who survived a U.S. torpedo onslaught that sank their vessel successful nan Indian Ocean, officials said Friday.

A U.S. submarine sank nan IRIS Dena connected March 4 while nan vessel was returning location aft taking portion successful a naval workout connected invitation from India. The Sri Lankan navy recovered 87 bodies and 32 were hospitalized. A 2nd Iranian vessel was brought to a confederate Sri Lankan larboard aft its unit reported method problems.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Brig. Franklin Joseph said Friday that everyone isolated from for a fewer unit members from nan 2nd vessel had been repatriated earlier this week.

The Iranian vessel has been anchored successful nan eastbound larboard of Trincomalee larboard and nary determination has been taken connected what should beryllium done pinch it.

“I deliberation it [Sri Lanka] has proven its argumentation posture not only successful words but besides successful deeds,” said H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, a retired erstwhile overseas caput who besides served arsenic Sri Lanka’s imperishable typical to nan United Nations.

He said nan land federation ensured that it was not seen to beryllium taking sides but acted connected nan ground of legality, humanity and world law. “All parties to nan conflict person acknowledged that. It has enhanced Sri Lanka’s government’s credibility,” he said.

He said Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made a difficult determination erstwhile he declined 2 requests connected nan aforesaid time — 1 from nan U.S. to onshore subject craft successful Sri Lanka and different from Iran to bring its warships ashore.

Sri Lanka is emerging from an economical situation and some nan U.S and Iran are its important trading partners. The U.S played an important domiciled successful assisting pinch an International Monetary Fund bailout woody and helping nan cultivation assemblage to avert a nutrient crisis.

Francis writes for nan Associated Press.