News
CPSL accuses US of violating Lanka’s maritime sovereignty
The Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) yesterday condemned what it described as the “illegal sinking” of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena by the United States Navy within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).In a statement issued by its General Secretary G. Weerasinghe, the party alleged that the Iranian naval vessel had been sunk by a US submarine about 82 kilometres off the southern coast near Galle.
According to the CPSL, reports indicated that 87 bodies of sailors had been recovered by vessels of the Sri Lanka Navy following the incident.
The party said the IRIS Dena had recently participated in joint naval exercises with the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam in February and had been returning to Iran when the alleged attack occurred.
Full text of the CPSL statement: The Communist Party of Sri Lanka condemns the illegal sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena by the US Navy within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Sri Lanka.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Ship (IRIS) Dena was sunk by a US submarine within 82 kilometers off the coast of Sri Lanka near Galle. Reports say that 87 bodies of dead sailors have been recovered by two vessels of the Sri Lanka Navy.
The IRIS Dena had taken part in joint exercises with the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam in February and had been returning home. It was not participating in hostilities or posing an active threat to the USA. The US submarine which fired the torpedo that sank the ship was not under imminent threat, so was acting illegally within Sri Lankan waters. Callously, it made no attempt to rescue the sailors following the sinking. Furthermore, the US-Israeli aggression on Iran is illegal, both in international and US law. The attack on the IRIS Dena thus clearly violates both the law and Sri Lankan sovereignty.
This is of no consequence to the imperialist Trump regime in the USA. US Secretary (Minister) of Defence Pete Hegseth, who openly boasted that the US had sunk the IRIS Dena, had previously said that the USA would not follow and “stupid rules of engagement” in the course of this war – in other words, would ignore international law and the Geneva Convention.
The response of the NPP Government to this open violation of our EEZ has been lukewarm. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath had been apologetic about the Sri Lanka Navy responding to the IRIS Dena’s distress signals, saying it was obligated to do so under the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue.
The question arises of the complicity of the Government of India in this heinous act. Reports have emerged that the Indian authorities ordered the IRIS Dena to leave Indian waters prematurely, and even that they tipped off the USA as to the whereabouts of the Iranian vessel.
Reports have also emerged that the IRIS Dena had requested permission to stay within Sri Lankan territorial waters and waited for 14 hours, before this request was turned down by President Anura Kumar Dissanayake.
The CPSL calls upon the Sri Lanka Government to stop kowtowing to the Trump regime and to condemn this illegal sinking and the brazen US violation of international law, Sri Lanka sovereignty, and human decency. It also calls upon the Government to appoint a commission of inquiry to look into the circumstances of the deliberate sinking of the IRIS Dena in violation of international law, particularly to ascertain the extent to which the Governments of India and Sri Lanka were complicit in this illegal act.
Furthermore, the CPSL urges the government to revive the Indian Ocean Peace Zone concept which was proposed by Sri Lanka and adopted at the United Nations in 1971. Sri Lanka must work resolutely in international diplomatic fora to prevent the expansion of war into the Indian Ocean region.
The newly appointed Cabinet Committee tasked with ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of Sri Lanka’s public service held its inaugural meeting on Thursday (19) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya.
The Committee convened to discuss strategies to maintain seamless government operations in the face of potential disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict situation in the Middle East, with particular focus on energy resource management.
According to officials, the discussions emphasised sustaining essential government services, ensuring continued service delivery to the public, and addressing the operational challenges faced by public sector employees during the current circumstances. The Committee also examined measures to mitigate any disruptions that could affect day-to-day administrative and service functions across ministries and departments.
Key attendees at the meeting included the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government A. H. M. M. H. Abayaratne; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the
Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi; and senior secretaries from key ministries including Health and Mass Media, Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Energy, and Digital Economy.
Representatives from state institutions such as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation were also present, highlighting the government’s focus on energy security as a central priority. The Committee’s deliberations underscored a coordinated approach to balancing uninterrupted public service delivery with effective management of limited energy resources amid the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
Observers note that the formation of this Cabinet Committee reflects the government’s proactive stance in safeguarding national administrative functions and ensuring that critical public services remain resilient during times of external pressures.The Committee is expected to meet regularly to monitor developments, evaluate emerging risks, and implement practical measures to maintain operational continuity across the public sector.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Friday lashed out at President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament, accusing him of failing to uphold international law during wartime.
Premadasa said the President’s claim of neutrality ignored breaches of the UN Charter—including Articles 2.4 and 2.7—and other global conventions. “A neutral stance requires openly acknowledging violations,” he argued, criticizing the absence of ethical mechanisms to safeguard international law.
He also questioned the President’s handling of maritime issues, particularly whether Sri Lanka had been informed of the alleged attack on the Iranian vessel IRIS Dena, stressing that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) permits only peaceful activity.
On the economic front, Premadasa condemned the government for missing a chance to buy Russian oil during a 30-day U.S. sanctions suspension.
He said attempts to advise the Foreign Ministry, including a meeting with the Russian Ambassador, yielded no progress.
Premadasa further ridiculed the government’s earlier dismissal of the QR code fuel system, noting that officials are now adapting to it.
Turning to broader economic concerns, he called for immediate negotiations with the IMF to secure a new agreement, warning that the current primary balance of 2.3 is unsustainable. He stressed the urgent need for a poverty-reduction program, highlighting that one-third of Sri Lankans live in poverty.
He also demanded that surplus Treasury funds be used to support relief packages, arguing billions in reserves could aid households struggling with income shortfalls.Concluding his address, Premadasa criticized the government for failing to prepare for foreseeable crises, leaving the country vulnerable.
Former Minister Johnston Fernando, his two sons, and three others were remanded by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday (20) until April 2, the court confirmed.
The suspects, including Fernando’s elder son Johan, younger son Jerome, and a former transport manager of Lanka Sathosa, are under investigation by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).
Authorities allege the Lanka Sathosa lorry was misused for operations linked to an ethanol company reportedly owned by Fernando, causing an estimated Rs. 2.5 million loss to the state.
Showers may occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya district after 1.00 pm.
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