Second Iranian warship approaches Colombo after US submarine sinks IRIS Dena frigate off Sri Lanka

3 minutes of readingMarch 5, 2026 08:14 pm IST

A second Iranian warship heads toward Sri Lanka on Thursday, a day after a U.S. submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off the island’s southern coast, killing 87 people. Colombo said it is considering its response after the ship attempted to enter Sri Lankan waters.

Sri Lankan authorities said the ship had requested emergency assistance and was waiting near the maritime border, outside the country’s territorial waters. The development comes as the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran since February 28 extends beyond West Asia.

Awaiting decision

Government spokesperson and minister Nalinda Jayathissa told parliament that authorities are examining the situation after the second Iranian ship appeared off Panadura, outside Colombo.

“We are aware of this and are considering measures to safeguard all lives on board,” Jayathissa said, responding to a question from opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also holds the Defense portfolio, together with the National Security Council and the government, are reviewing the matter, he said. The government will present a report to Parliament once the process is completed.

Where is the ship located?

Jayathissa said the ship is currently in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), close to the maritime border but outside territorial waters.

Sri Lanka’s territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles from the coast. The EEZ extends from 12 to 200 nautical miles, where international maritime law applies and the country exercises rights primarily over economic activity.

Sources said the ship had sought emergency assistance.

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84 bodies recovered after attack

Sri Lanka on Wednesday recovered 84 bodies of Iranian sailors after the frigate IRIS Dena sank about 40 nautical miles off Galle following a submarine attack.

The ship was returning to Iran after participating in a naval fleet review exercise in Visakhapatnam.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that a U.S. submarine carried out the attack in international waters.

Injured sailors undergoing treatment

Survivors of the attack are receiving treatment at Karapitiya Hospital in Galle.

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Hospital officials said the injuries are not serious. “They have lacerations, one of them has a broken leg and another needs treatment on his hip,” a health official said.

Authorities will carry out investigations into the 84 bodies at Karapitiya Hospital.

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