Return of Iranian Navy Heroes: Sri Lanka's Diplomatic Endeavour

Sri Lanka repatriated the remains of 84 Iranian sailors from the Iranian frigate sunk by a US submarine. Bodies were sent by the Iranian embassy after a court order. Survivors were treated and discharged. The diplomatic gesture highlights Sri Lanka's role in international naval incident resolutions.

Sri Lanka has successfully repatriated the remains of 84 Iranian sailors who perished in an attack by a US submarine. Officials confirmed the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was returning from a naval exercise in India when it was sunk near the southern coast of Sri Lanka.

The remains were sent on a chartered Turkish airliner following a court order by Chief Magistrate Sameera Dodangoda. After being kept at Karapitiya hospital, the bodies were finally released to the Iranian embassy, marking a significant diplomatic move amid tense international waters.

Efforts were hampered by inadequate morgue facilities, requiring makeshift refrigeration. Meanwhile, 32 survivors were discharged and transferred to a nearby airbase, underscoring a successful humanitarian response by Sri Lankan authorities.

(With inputs from agencies.)