Sri Lanka rescues Iranian sailors off distressed vessel near southern Galle district

COLOMBO: (Mar 4) Sri Lanka has rescued at least 30 Iranian sailors from a distressed Iranian frigate in the southern waters of the island nation early Wednesday, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.

In response to a question raised in parliament, Herath said, “At 5.08 this morning, a message was received by the Sri Lanka Navy and the coastal guard on the sinking ship named ‘Iris Dena’ 40 nautical miles off the southern port district of Galle.”

“At least 30 of them were rescued while 180 of them are said to be on board”, Herath said.