Iran has formally requested Sri Lanka to facilitate the repatriation of the bodies of its naval personnel who perished when the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was sunk in the Indian Ocean after being struck by a torpedo fired by an American submarine. The remains have been transported to Karapitiya National Hospital in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni confirmed that the Iranian government has communicated its intent to bring the bodies back to Iran. Until repatriation arrangements are finalised, the remains will be held in the hospital’s cold storage facilities.
Wijemuni noted that Sri Lanka follows established protocols in such cases, which include conducting post-mortem examinations and coordinating with the respective country for guidance on handling the deceased. While Iran has indicated its wish to receive the bodies, the ongoing military situation means the process cannot be concluded immediately, necessitating temporary storage in Sri Lanka.
The deputy minister flagged that the country does not currently have adequate long-term cold storage infrastructure to accommodate such a large number of bodies. Steps were initiated from the previous evening to procure the required refrigeration units, and work is actively underway to place the remains in suitable cold storage, he said.
The IRIS Dena sank at approximately 5:08 am on Wednesday in international waters in close proximity to Sri Lanka, following a torpedo attack. The frigate is reported to have had 180 people on board at the time of the incident. Under international maritime agreements, Sri Lanka bore responsibility for search and rescue operations in the maritime zone where the sinking occurred. The operation resulted in the rescue of 32 survivors, all of whom are currently receiving medical treatment at Karapitiya National Hospital. Security around the hospital has been reinforced as the situation continues to develop.
Second Iranian Vessel Near Sri Lanka Seeks ‘Urgent Port Call’
In a separate but related development, Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa stated on Thursday that another Iranian naval vessel in the vicinity of Sri Lanka has submitted a request for an “urgent port call.” The request comes a day after the IRIS Dena was sunk by a US submarine.
“It has been brought to our notice that another Iranian vessel is in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone, just outside our territorial waters, and has sought the government’s permission to make an urgent port call. However, it is yet awaiting the government’s clearance,” Rajapaksa wrote on social media platform X.
The MP’s statement followed an earlier disclosure by Sri Lanka’s media minister Nalinda Jayatissa, who confirmed that a second Iranian warship was positioned just outside Sri Lankan waters, without providing additional details.
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