Sri Lanka Refuses US Pressure to Repatriate Iranian Nationals; Expert Commentary

28-Mar-2026

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Sri Lanka has refused Tehran’s request to repatriate over 250 Iranian nationals rescued from the sunken IRIS Dena submarine, keeping them under protection. Professor Brahma Sellane observed that while legally justifiable, returning trained military personnel to Iran during wartime cannot be considered a neutral act.

The rescued nationals remain at the Velisara Naval Camp and Colombo Port. India, in contrast, repatriated 180 Iranians on 13 March via special flight. Sri Lanka’s action is consistent with the 1907 Hague Convention, allowing neutral nations to prevent combatants from rejoining conflicts.