Sri Lanka Confirms Iran Sought Port Entry for Three Naval Ships

by Zulfick Farzan 06-03-2026 | 12:00 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed that on the 26th of February, the Government of Iran formally requested permission from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for three Iranian naval vessels to enter Sri Lankan ports between March 9 and 13.

He said Sri Lanka had not yet granted approval for those dates. According to the President, the request was presented as a goodwill visit and a tour meant to enhance cooperation, but he noted that genuine goodwill visits require extensive procedural arrangements.

He said that when Sri Lanka reviewed the situation, it found the vessels had remained just beyond Sri Lanka’s national maritime boundary, although close to it.

“A goodwill visit does not occur in such a manner,” the President stated, adding that Sri Lanka had been studying the procedural requirements related to the request.

Meanwhile, on the 27th, Sri Lanka received a report regarding the vessel now taken under Sri Lanka’s responsibility, the IRIS Bushehr, stating that a sailor on board had suffered an accident.

Iran had requested Sri Lanka’s assistance to bring the injured sailor and another officer ashore for psychological support. The President confirmed that the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force intervened and transported the two individuals to land, where they were referred for necessary medical treatment.

The President said that on the 4th of March, between 5:08 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., Sri Lanka received reports that a vessel located approximately 19 nautical miles from the Galle Port, just beyond national waters, had come under attack. Distress signals were also issued from that location.

Sri Lanka immediately launched a major operation involving both the Navy and the Air Force. “As I said before, we are neutral and also humanitarian. We knew a large number of lives were in danger,” the President said.

He confirmed that Sri Lankan forces were able to rescue 32 individuals alive. In addition, 84 bodies were recovered. All the rescued and deceased were brought ashore. The injured survivors are currently receiving treatment at the Karapitiya Hospital.