Sri Lanka urges peace as country rescues Iranian sailors

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called for global peace after his country allowed an Iranian vessel, the Irins Bushehr, to dock at a Sri Lankan port and permitted 200 crew members to enter the island.

Authorities brought 208 people from the ship to the capital, Colombo, while the vessel remained in custody at Trincomalee on the east coast, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The move follows a March 4 incident in which a US submarine torpedoed the Iranian warship Iris Dena off the Sri Lankan coast. Officials said the 180‑crew vessel was returning from naval exercises hosted by India in late February. Rescue teams recovered 84 bodies from oil-slicked waters and saved 32 crew members, while others remain missing.

In a statement posted on X, Dissanayake emphasised that no civilian should die in wars and that every life is precious. He highlighted Sri Lanka’s commitment to a non-aligned policy while prioritizing humanitarian values and saving lives. 

"No civilian should die in wars. Our approach is that every life is as precious as our own. We jealously guard our non-aligned policy while ensuring that humanitarian values and the saving of lives remain our top priority.

What the world urgently needs today is peace. There is a real risk of a severe global economic crisis, and entire societies are facing serious and complex challenges.

We call upon all parties to demonstrate a firm commitment to peace. As a state, Sri Lanka stands ready to support every step toward ending hostilities. All our actions are aimed at saving lives and ensuring that humanity prevails," the post reads. 

By Sabina Mammadli