Sri Lanka cautious as 19 Iranian ships face shortages off its coast

Sri Lanka has no immediate plans to help 19 Iranian ships anchored in international waters near the island, even as the vessels face shortages of food, water and fuel, according to the government. Officials said Colombo would put national interest first before considering any assistance.

The issue is sensitive for Sri Lanka, which is emerging from an economic crisis and counts both the United States and Iran among its important trading partners. The government said companies that supply ships are aware of possible secondary sanctions from the US, although it has not received any communication from Washington warning of repercussions if Sri Lanka decides to help.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Thushara Rodrigo said the ships are stationed 24 nautical miles from Sri Lanka's coast and have reported shortages of food, water and fuel. The Iranian Embassy in Sri Lanka said it had no details on the matter.

The development comes nearly seven months after a US torpedo attack sank the Iranian naval ship IRIS Dena, killing 87 sailors. The ship was returning home after taking part in a naval exercise on the invitation of India. A second Iranian ship was later brought to a Sri Lankan port after its crew reported technical problems. The wounded sailors treated in Sri Lankan hospitals and those rescued from the second ship were safely repatriated to Iran.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told the Sunday Times that the ships are Iranian oil tankers and have been anchored off Sri Lanka for the past several months after the US resumed its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, leaving dozens of Iranian vessels stranded and unable to return home. Sri Lanka has been trying to recover from its economic crisis, during which the US played an important role in supporting an Monetary Fund bailout deal and helping the agricultural sector avert a food crisis.

affairs analyst Dayan Jayatilleka said, "But we are caught in a difficult situation," adding that there are limits to what Sri Lanka can practically do. "It's clear to the world that we are not willingly refusing to assist, but there are reasons that we have to be careful and deliberate. What we can do is to observe international humanitarian laws. These are not warships. These are cargo ships which carried oil to China from Iran," he said. "If these ships come in for some reason to our waters because they are attacked, we have a moral obligation to assist immediately." In sum, Sri Lanka has said it is proceeding cautiously as the Iranian ships remain anchored off its coast with reported shortages on board.

With PTI Inputs

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