Tragic Loss: Sri Lanka Returns Bodies of Sailors from Iranian Warship Attack

In a somber development, Sri Lanka has returned the bodies of 45 sailors who perished in an attack on an Iranian warship. The tragic incident occurred off the coast of Galle, following a US submarine strike that sank the IRIS Dena. The remains were handed over to the Iranian embassy, while 32 survivors were also rescued. This event highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the impact on naval operations. Read on to learn more about the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 13, 2026, 14:10 IST

Sri Lanka Transfers Sailors' Remains to Iran

Colombo: On Friday, Sri Lanka officially handed over the remains of 45 sailors who lost their lives in an attack on an Iranian warship near its coast to the Iranian embassy, as confirmed by local officials.

Chief Magistrate Sameera Dodangoda issued the directive on March 11 to the Director of the National Hospital in Karapitiya, following a request from the Galle harbor police.

Last Wednesday, Sri Lankan authorities reported the recovery of 84 bodies of Iranian sailors after a US submarine attack led to the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off the southern coast near Galle.

The frigate was returning to Iran after participating in a naval fleet review in Visakhapatnam, India.

The repatriation of the 45 bodies was scheduled for Friday from the Mattala international airport, as stated by Defence Ministry Secretary Sampath Thuiyakontha during a press briefing.

These remains were transported to the hospital alongside 32 survivors from the US torpedo attack that occurred the previous Thursday.

Initially, the Sri Lankan government had decided to retain the bodies until conditions allowed for their repatriation.

Due to limited morgue capacity, the bodies were kept in makeshift refrigeration units.

The 32 survivors were discharged on Sunday and relocated to the nearby Sri Lankan airbase at Koggala, Galle.