The National Shoora Council (NSC) has welcomed an assurance by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath that the government will take necessary action to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to seafarers stranded aboard Iranian civilian vessels near Sri Lanka.
In a letter dated October 13, Herath responded to the NSC’s appeal for humanitarian relief, assuring the council that “necessary action will be taken as proposed by the NSC”.
The NSC had written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on October 9, with a copy to the Foreign Minister, seeking urgent assistance for Iranian, Indian and Bangladeshi seafarers stranded aboard Iranian civilian vessels within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In its appeal, the council urged the government to ensure that humanitarian assistance at sea is guided by humanitarian principles rather than restricted by territorial limitations, stressing that maritime boundaries should not prevent the delivery of essential relief to those in need.
It called for the removal of territorial-sea-related conditions that could limit assistance, urging Sri Lanka to respond to genuine humanitarian needs throughout its search-and-rescue region, irrespective of the vessels’ flags or the nationalities of their crews.
The council also proposed coordinated relief operations involving the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, the Sri Lanka Navy, the Coast Guard, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Such operations, it said, should assess the crews’ needs, provide drinking water, food and medicines, and facilitate the evacuation of sick or injured seafarers for immediate medical treatment.
The NSC further called on the government to issue clear guidance to shipping agents, ship chandlers and private companies, confirming that the provision of essential humanitarian supplies is lawful and should be encouraged, while distinguishing such assistance from commercial services.
It also urged diplomatic engagement with Iran, India, Bangladesh, relevant flag states and other countries whose nationals are affected, with a view to ensuring adequate provisions, crew welfare and eventual repatriation.
As a longer-term measure, the council proposed that Sri Lanka adopt a transparent standing policy on humanitarian assistance at sea and communicate it through diplomatic channels to safeguard relief operations from unilateral restrictions.
Welcoming the Foreign Minister’s response, the NSC said it may appoint a team to coordinate with the Foreign Ministry, should such assistance be required.