“Under International Law, Iranian sailors must be handed over to their home country”

2026-03-08 - 03:37

Former Navy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Y. N. Jayarathna says that under international law, the United States has no right to exert pressure regarding the Iranian naval personnel rescued by Sri Lanka, and that they should be handed over only to their home country, Iran. The Rear Admiral stated that Sri Lanka carried out the rescue operation as the country is bound by the internationally recognised responsibility known as the “coastal state responsibility”. He further noted that, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the High Seas, signed in 1974 to safeguard lives at sea, the incident occurred within Sri Lanka’s designated search-and-rescue region; therefore, there is no issue with the actions taken. He also emphasised that in such situations, countries are obligated to come forward to save lives in danger at sea.