Navy to Continue Aid for Rescued Iranian Sailors at Welisara Base

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Sri Lanka Navy says it will continue to provide humanitarian assistance, including food, to the 204 Iranian military personnel currently at the Welisara Naval Base.

Navy Spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath said that all personnel are in good health.

The 204 individuals who were on board the Iranian ship IRINS Bushehr were brought to the Port of Colombo yesterday morning and later transferred to the Welisara Naval Base after undergoing medical examinations.

The Sri Lankan government had earlier decided to rescue the sailors after the vessel sought humanitarian assistance following an American torpedo attack on the Iranian ship IRIS Dena. 

Accordingly, all remaining sailors, except for a limited group required to navigate the ship were brought to the Welisara Naval Base, while the vessel was directed to Port of Trincomalee.