An urgent decision regarding the 239 Iranian sailors stranded in this country

Deputy Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara, stated that a decision regarding the 239 sailors who survived from the two Iranian ships, 'Ayiris Dana', which was destroyed in an American submarine attack, and 'Ayiris Busher', which was rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy, is expected to be made within the next few days.

In relation to this incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already held several rounds of discussions with the Iranian government and the Iranian ambassador in the country, and as a result of this diplomatic intervention, the bodies of all deceased Iranian sailors have already been sent back to Iran.

Authorities had taken steps to send the bodies of eighty-four sailors who died while traveling on the Ayiris Dana ship, which was destroyed in an American submarine attack in the deep sea off Galle on the 4th, back to their home country by a special aircraft on the 13th.

The Deputy Minister of Defence further stated that a total of 239 sailors, including thirty-two sailors rescued from the damaged Ayiris Dana ship and two hundred and seven sailors from the Ayiris Busher ship, are currently being held at the Welisara and Koggala security camps.

Furthermore, arrangements have been made to bring the Ayiris Busher ship, rescued through the intervention of the Sri Lanka Navy, to the Trincomalee port.