Sri Lanka trying to safeguard lives' on second Iran ship after US attack

"Sri Lanka is trying to safeguard lives on another Iranian ship off its coast, its cabinet spokesperson says, after an attack by the United States on an Iranian frigate killed more than 80 people and left dozens missing. We are doing our utmost to safeguard lives, Nalinda Jayatissa said on Thursday, adding that the second vessel was in the economic zone beyond the Sri Lanka's territorial waters."

"The second warship is reported to be carrying more than 100 crew members and is heading to the same area where the US submarine destroyed the Iranian frigate. There are fears the second vessel could be targeted in the same way. The second Iranian warship to pass near Sri Lanka's territorial waters since yesterday is believed to be part of a group of three Iranian navy vessels returning from an international maritime event in India."

"Sri Lanka's government, meanwhile, has to walk on eggshells. Even though it has not taken either side in the ongoing war and is far from the centre of operations, the country has almost been drawn into this conflict."

A US submarine destroyed an Iranian frigate with a torpedo in international waters off Sri Lanka's coast, killing more than 80 sailors with dozens missing. A second Iranian warship, carrying over 100 crew members, is now heading toward the same area where the attack occurred, raising concerns it could face similar targeting. The vessel contacted Sri Lankan authorities reporting engine trouble and requesting port access, which was denied. Sri Lanka's government faces pressure to manage the situation while maintaining neutrality in the broader US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The country has been inadvertently drawn into the conflict despite its distance from Middle Eastern operations. Authorities in Galle are preparing to handle remains of the 87 Iranian sailors killed in the attack.

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