Colombo, 05 March (H.S.): Iran has formally requested Sri Lanka to hand over the bodies of 90 sailors killed in a US submarine attack on its naval vessel IRIS Dana, enabling dignified funerals back home, as recovery efforts continue near the island nation's waters.The IRIS Dana, carrying approximately 180 Iranian sailors, sank around 5:08 a.m. Wednesday in international waters off Sri Lanka's coast following the strike.

Sri Lankan authorities, leading rescue operations under international maritime protocols, have recovered 90 bodies—currently housed at Karapitiya National Hospital—and rescued 32 survivors still under treatment there, with the toll potentially rising.

Sri Lanka's Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijeymuni noted procedural challenges amid ongoing military tensions, including standard post-mortems and coordination with Iranian officials. Citing insufficient cold storage for such volume, the government has initiated procurement of additional refrigeration units.

Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned on X that the US would pay a heavy price for targeting a vessel 2,000 miles from Iranian shores in international waters, terming it a heinous crime.Second Iranian Ship Seeks Safe Harbor

Confirmation emerged of another Iranian warship in Sri Lanka's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), requesting anchoring permission amid fears of escalation.

Government Chief Whip Nalinda Jayatissa assured Parliament that the President, security council, and cabinet are monitoring closely, pledging maximum protection for those aboard and promising a full report.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar