The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Colombo held a formal appreciation ceremony to honor Sri Lankan citizens who assisted survivors and recovered personnel following the maritime incident involving the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena. The event brought together diplomats, community representatives, and volunteers recognized for their support in the aftermath of the tragedy.
During the ceremony at the Embassy Residence, Iranian Ambassador Dr. Alireza Delkhosh conveyed gratitude from the Iranian government and families of the victims to Sri Lankan volunteers, emphasizing what he described as an extraordinary act of humanitarian solidarity. He highlighted the response of local citizens from different faiths who assisted injured sailors, arranged medical support, and helped manage recovery operations following the incident.
The ambassador referred to the events of March 4, 2026, when the vessel, returning from what was described as a friendly mission in India, suffered a catastrophic attack near Sri Lankan waters. According to his remarks, the incident resulted in the deaths of 104 crew members and injuries to 32 others, with Iran attributing responsibility to a United States submarine and condemning the act as a war crime. These claims remain part of Iran’s official position and were reiterated during the ceremony.
The gathering also acknowledged Sri Lankan efforts to transport the injured crew members to medical facilities in Galle and to assist in the handling of recovered remains. Ambassador Delkhosh stated that 84 bodies were recovered and processed through local ports, while 20 sailors remain missing in the Indian Ocean. He praised what he described as the compassion and dedication of Sri Lankan volunteers who supported the affected sailors during a period of crisis.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of formal honors to selected Sri Lankan citizens in recognition of their assistance. The ambassador expressed hope that the humanitarian response demonstrated during the tragedy would strengthen long-term ties between the peoples of Iran and Sri Lanka, framing the shared experience as a lasting example of solidarity in the face of maritime disaster.
