Colombo: Sri Lanka will grant free one-month visas to Iranian sailors rescued from distressed naval vessels, allowing them to remain in the island nation under humanitarian protection, a senior government minister said. Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala announced that the temporary visas would be issued to survivors brought to Sri Lanka following maritime incidents involving Iranian vessels in the Indian Ocean. "They will be granted one-month gratis visas," Wijepala told reporters, according to the Daily Mirror newspaper.

According to Anadolu Agency, Wijepala emphasized that the decision was not intended to support or oppose any country and would be guided by international legal obligations. "We will not take sides but will act on a humanitarian basis under international law," he stated. A US submarine last Wednesday attacked the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, resulting in 104 fatalities and injuries to 32 others, who were subsequently rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Following medical care, twenty-two sailors have been transferred to Koggala Air Force Base, while 10 remain hospitalized, with eight still receiving emergency treatment. In a subsequent event, Sri Lanka evacuated 208 crew members from a second Iranian vessel, IRIS Bushehr, after it requested assistance from Colombo. Both vessels were returning from the Milan Peace 2026 naval drills in India.