Colombo, Oct 9, 2026: Sri Lanka has no immediate plans to help 19 Iranian ships anchored in international waters near the island, even as the vessels face shortages of food, water and fuel, according to the government. Officials said Colombo would put national interest first before considering any assistance.
The issue is sensitive for Sri Lanka, which is emerging from an economic crisis and counts both the United States and Iran among its important trading partners. The government said companies that supply ships are aware of possible secondary sanctions from the US, although it has not received any communication from Washington warning of repercussions if Sri Lanka decides to help.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Thushara Rodrigo said the ships are stationed 24 nautical miles from Sri Lanka's coast and have reported shortages of food, water and fuel. The Iranian Embassy in Sri Lanka said it had no details on the matter.
The development comes nearly seven months after a US torpedo attack sank the Iranian naval ship IRIS Dena, killing 87 sailors. The ship was returning home after taking part in a naval exercise on the invitation of India. A second Iranian ship was later brought to a Sri Lankan port after its crew reported technical problems. The wounded sailors treated in Sri Lankan hospitals and those rescued from the second ship were safely repatriated to Iran.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told the Sunday Times that the ships are Iranian oil tankers and have been anchored off Sri Lanka for the past several months after the US resumed its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, leaving dozens of Iranian vessels stranded and unable to return home. Sri Lanka has been trying to recover from its economic crisis, during which the US played an important role in supporting an International Monetary Fund bailout deal and helping the agricultural sector avert a food crisis.
International affairs analyst Dayan Jayatilleka noted that the country is caught in a difficult situation with practical limits on its actions. He emphasized that it is clear to the world that Sri Lanka is not willingly refusing assistance, but must remain careful and deliberate while observing international humanitarian laws, noting that the stranded vessels are cargo ships that carried oil to China from Iran rather than warships.
In sum, Sri Lanka has said it is proceeding cautiously as the Iranian ships remain anchored off its coast with reported shortages on board.