Sri Lanka repatriated 240 Iranian naval personnel yesterday, following maritime incidents near the island.
The group departed on a special Turkish Airlines flight from Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. They had been under the care of Sri Lankan authorities after their vessels encountered difficulties in waters off the country.
State Minister of Defence, Major General (Retired) Aruna Jayasekera, oversaw the operation. He said the group included 32 sailors rescued from the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena, which was reportedly damaged in an attack in the region. The remaining 204 personnel were from another Iranian vessel, IRIS Bushehr.
The personnel were transported from their temporary accommodation to the airport under tight security.