Sri Lanka has announced plans to issue free one-month visas to Iranian sailors rescued from outside its territorial waters. Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said the temporary visa arrangement aims to assist the sailors while they await repatriation to Iran. On Saturday, 204 sailors from the Iranian warship IRIS Bushehr were brought to a Sri Lankan naval base after the vessel experienced mechanical failure and sought assistance.

Earlier in the week, the Iranian warship IRIS Dena sank near the Sri Lankan coast following a torpedo attack by a U.S. submarine, killing more than 80 sailors. The Sri Lankan Navy reported rescuing 32 survivors and recovering 87 bodies from the incident. The attack marks the first time since World War II that a warship has been sunk by a submarine torpedo.

Sri Lanka’s decision to provide temporary visas reflects its humanitarian response to the crisis while coordination continues for the sailors’ return to Iran.