Iranian Tankers Stranded Off Sri Lanka Raise Humanitarian Concerns

A humanitarian crisis is unfolding off Sri Lanka's southwestern coast as around 20 Iranian oil tankers remain stranded in international waters. The vessels, which were previously carrying sanctioned Iranian oil, are facing food, fuel, and water shortages due to tightening US sanctions and maritime restrictions.

Former diplomat Dr Dayan Jayatilleka has urged the government to prioritize humanitarian obligations over concerns about US secondary sanctions. He cited Sri Lanka's previous rescue of sailors from an Iranian vessel in distress as a precedent for assisting distressed vessels, regardless of their nationality.

Jayatilleka criticized Sri Lanka's participation in a US-organized workshop on maritime sanctions evasion, arguing that it was inconsistent with the country's stated neutrality and would train officials to enforce US sanctions. He also accused the government of compromising its position against unilateral sanctions by participating in the workshop.