COLOMBO, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has provided humanitarian assistance to and evacuated 40 Iranian sailors from merchant ships stranded about 24 nautical miles off the country's shore, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday.
The operation was carried out in the country's southern city of Galle in response to distress calls concerning the crew members' medical conditions, said the ministry, adding that it was arranged and facilitated by the Iranian Embassy in Colombo.
After receiving medical assistance, all 40 sailors departed for Iran on Saturday, said the ministry.
The operation took place as nearly a dozen empty Iranian tankers were anchored near Galle Harbour due to U.S. sanctions. Sri Lankan authorities have maintained that the vessels are anchored outside the country's 12-nautical-mile territorial waters, and that freedom of navigation applies.
Providing humanitarian assistance to Iranian crew members brought ashore after falling ill on vessels outside the country's territorial waters is in accordance with international maritime law and recognised humanitarian principles, Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni said. ■
