Sri Lanka court hands Iranian sailors bodies

Sri Lanka Court Hands Iranian Sailors Bodies to Iran Embassy

Colombo — A court in Sri Lanka has ruled that the remains of 84 Iranian sailors who died in an attack on an Iranian naval vessel near the island’s waters should be transferred to the Iranian embassy for further arrangements.

According to reports circulating in local media, the decision was issued after authorities completed initial legal and procedural steps related to the incident. The order allows the embassy to take responsibility for handling the bodies and arranging their return to Iran.

The sailors were killed when the Iranian warship IRIS Dena was struck by a torpedo in the Indian Ocean. The attack reportedly occurred while the vessel was sailing back after participating in naval exercises conducted with regional forces.

Officials indicated that the ship was traveling through international waters when the strike happened. The incident comes during a period of heightened tensions linked to the broader confrontation involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Authorities in Sri Lanka began legal proceedings shortly after the incident because the casualties occurred near the country’s maritime zone. Courts often oversee such matters to ensure that the transfer of remains follows international and diplomatic procedures.

Following the ruling, the Iranian diplomatic mission in Colombo will coordinate the repatriation process. This typically includes documentation, identification confirmation, and arrangements for transporting the remains back to Iran.

The attack on the naval vessel has drawn attention internationally as tensions across the region continue to rise. Military and diplomatic observers say incidents at sea could further complicate an already fragile security situation.

For now, Sri Lankan authorities say they will continue cooperating with diplomatic representatives and relevant agencies to ensure the process is handled respectfully and in accordance with international norms.