Iranian Ambassador Honors Sri Lankan Citizens for Dena Incident Humanitarian Support
Iranian Ambassador Honors Sri Lankan Citizens for Dena Incident Humanitarian Support
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The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Colombo hosted a special ceremony on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 (13 Khordad 1405), to express its profound appreciation to Sri Lankan citizens—Muslims and followers of other faiths alike—who provided vital assistance following the tragic incident involving the Iranian Navy destroyer IRIS Dena.
H.E. Dr. Alireza Delkhosh, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, delivered remarks at the gathering held at the Ambassador’s Residence, conveying the sincere gratitude of the Government of Iran and the families of the victims to local volunteers.
The ceremony referred to the tragic event of 4 March 2026, when the unarmed vessel, returning from a friendly mission in India, was allegedly attacked in the vicinity of Sri Lankan waters by an American submarine, resulting in the martyrdom of 104 sailors and injuries to 32 others.
Ambassador Delkhosh strongly condemned this cowardly act by the United States, describing it as a war crime, and noted that while the Iranian nation was resisting widespread external aggression, the people of Sri Lanka swiftly came forward to assist the wounded and honor the martyrs, creating a lasting legacy of humanity.
The event highlighted the exceptional solidarity of the Sri Lankan people, who worked tirelessly to support the 32 injured crew members transferred to Galle Hospital and voluntarily provided essential refrigerated equipment for the remains of the recovered martyrs.
The Ambassador further noted that while the remains of 84 martyrs were recovered and transferred through coordination and facilitation at the Port of Galle, the bodies of 20 sailors remain tragically missing in the depths of the Indian Ocean. He emphasized that the devotion of Sri Lankan volunteers in caring for Iranian sailors—who were guests in Sri Lanka—represents a profound narrative of compassion and solidarity that will be remembered with the highest respect by future generations.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of awards and certificates of appreciation to local citizens, marking a historic chapter in the humanitarian ties between the peoples of Iran and Sri Lanka.