Sri Lanka says US gave no prior notice of strike on Iranian warship

People transport the bodies of Iranian soldiers killed in an American torpedo attack on their ship IRIS Dena off the southern coast of Sri Lanka to the morgue of a hospital in Galle, Sri Lanka, on March 4, 2026. [Photo/Xinhua]

Sri Lanka was not informed in advance about a U.S. strike on the Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, in the seas near the island nation's maritime boundary, a cabinet spokesman said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the weekly cabinet media briefing, Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa said Sri Lanka's Navy responded as soon as possible when they were made aware of the incident.

Jayatissa said he is not aware who first alerted Sri Lankan authorities of the incident.

He said 32 people were rescued alive, of whom 10 are still receiving treatment. A total of 87 bodies were recovered during search operations.