News
Mujibur Rahuman questions delay over berthing of IRIS Dena
Colombo District SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman told Parliament on Thursday that the Iranian naval vessel that sank off Sri Lanka’s southern coast had sought permission to dock at the Port of Galle, but the government had failed to respond in time.
Rahuman said the Iranian Navy ship had participated in a multinational naval training exercise in India along with representatives from 74 countries, including Sri Lanka.
He said the vessel had left India, after the exercise, but altered its course due to escalating Middle East tensions and remained in waters, about 40 nautical miles off Sri Lanka, for nearly 11 hours, while awaiting permission to berth.
“The ship had requested permission to dock at Galle Harbour, but the government did not respond,” he said.
The MP further alleged that a US submarine, operating in the Gulf, had received information about the Iranian vessel and subsequently targeted the ship near Sri Lanka’s maritime zone.
He questioned why the authorities allowed the Iranian ship to remain at sea for 11 hours without a response and whether the delay was consistent with Sri Lanka’s obligations under international maritime conventions.
“We are bound by international law. Why was the Iranian vessel not allowed to berth at Galle Port? Why was there such a delay?” he asked.
Rahuman made the remarks in Parliament while commenting on the attack on the Iranian Navy ship IRIS Dena, off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, on Wednesday.
by Saman Indrajith
The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.
The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.
Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.
The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.
Latest News
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026
Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities
Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).
The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.
Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:
01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)
02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)
03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)
04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See
05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan
06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait
Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.
INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts
US, Iran exchange threats as fragile ceasefire set to expire
Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake
Tilak ends Mumbai Indian’s losing streak with 45-ball century
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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