A humanitarian crisis is unfolding off the coast of Sri Lanka as a second Iranian vessel has been reported stranded near Panadura, carrying nearly 300 children in desperate need of supplies.
The Iranian Embassy in Colombo has issued an urgent appeal to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence, requesting 24-hour access to a local port to secure essential food and drinking water for those on board.
Sources indicate that while the request was initially met with administrative silence, a high-profile diplomatic intervention has since cleared the way for the vessel to dock.
The situation came to light earlier today during a visit by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to the Iranian Embassy.
Mr. Wickremesinghe had arrived to sign the book of condolence following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
During the visit, embassy officials reportedly briefed the former president on the stranded ship’s dire circumstances and the pending request for humanitarian assistance.
Following this meeting, the Governor of the Western Province, Hanif Yusoof, reportedly intervened to apprise the President of the situation.
Current reports suggest that, following this high-level mediation, the vessel has finally been granted permission to enter a Sri Lankan port on humanitarian grounds.
This latest maritime incident adds a layer of complexity to an already volatile regional situation.
Only yesterday, an Iranian naval vessel was reported in distress approximately 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle.
The incident coincided with a provocative claim from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said that an Iranian warship had been struck and sunk by a torpedo in the Indian Ocean.