Sri Lanka attempting to ensure security of second Iranian warship – minister
The vessel is outside the island nation’s territorial waters, but within its exclusive economic zone, a minister has told parliament
> Sri Lanka is attempting to ensure the security of the crew of an Iranian vessel near the island’s territorial waters, a minister told parliament on Thursday.
> The development comes a day after a US submarine torpedoed an Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean about 40 nautical miles away from the city of Galle, claiming 87 lives.
> “The ship is not in Sri Lankan waters,” Nalinda Jayatissa told the parliament. “It is located in the exclusive economic zone. The government and the defense ministry are aware of the ship. The government is involved in providing maximum intervention pertaining to the lives of those onboard.”
> On Wednesday, a US submarine sank the IRIS Dena, which was on its way back to Iran after taking part in an International Fleet Review and multilateral naval drills in southeastern India.
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> “We are doing our best as the government in this regard,” Jayatissa added. “We are acting based on international laws, peace, and security, which is our responsibility as the government.”
> The island nation, which witnessed panic buying of petrol and diesel after the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, enjoys warm relations with both Iran and Israel.
