Sri Lanka is facing a delicate diplomatic crisis after a US submarine torpedoed the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near the southern port city of Galle. The attack occurred within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone and killed at least 87 Iranian sailors, leaving survivors and bodies to be handled by the island nation. Reports say the United States has urged Sri Lanka not to repatriate survivors from the sunken warship and also asked Colombo not to send back the crew of another Iranian naval vessel, IRIS Booshehr, which is currently in Sri Lankan custody.
07 March,2026 04:54 PM IST
A US submarine has reportedly sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Pentagon says the submarine launched a torpedo that struck the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena while it was sailing in international waters. Sri Lankan authorities say the ship had around 180 crew members on board. At least 32 sailors were rescued while more than 80 bodies have been recovered so far. US officials say the strike marks the first such torpedo attack on an enemy warship since World War II. The incident comes as tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran continue to escalate, raising fears that the conflict could expand beyond the Middle East.
05 March,2026 01:34 AM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Sri Lanka currently to strengthen bilateral relations. Upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, he was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome. From a red carpet reception to a guard of honour, the warm gestures marked the deepening ties between India and Sri Lanka. PM Modi's arrival in Colombo came after his visit to Thailand, where he held a bilateral meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and attended the BIMSTEC Summit. Here is a look at the ceremony that welcomed PM Modi to Sri Lanka.
05 April,2025 02:43 PM IST
In a significant commitment to defense cooperation, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka assured India that Sri Lanka will not allow any force to use its territory to threaten India's security. This promise was made during a joint press statement on Monday, highlighting the strong bond between the two countries. The pledge came as part of President Disanayaka's three-day official visit to New Delhi, which is set to conclude on December 17. The Sri Lankan leader emphasized that Sri Lanka would not allow its land to be used against India in any way, reaffirming the nations' commitment to mutual security and cooperation. This gesture reflects the growing diplomatic ties between India and Sri Lanka.
17 December,2024 11:23 AM ISTADVERTISEMENT
