⚓ NSC Urges Humanitarian Aid for Stranded Iranian Vessels South of Galle

The National Shoora Council (NSC) has sent an urgent appeal to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to facilitate immediate humanitarian assistance to Iranian vessels stranded in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). • Situation Overview The vessels are facing critical shortages of water, food, and medicine south of Galle due to an ongoing naval blockade and unilateral US sanctions. The crews consist of civilian seafarers from Iran, India, Bangladesh, and neighboring states. • Key Legal & Humanitarian Appeals • Principle of Sovereignty: NSC stressed that territorial seas define sovereignty boundaries, not limits for humanitarian aid. • International Obligations: Cites UNCLOS (Art. 98) on search and rescue duties in the EEZ, ICCPR (Art. 6) right-to-life protections, and Geneva Conventions on neutrality. • Sanctions Exemption: Notes that basic food and medical provisions are universally exempted from international sanctions regimes. • Key Sectors Affected • Maritime & Logistics: Local shipping agents and ship chandlers currently lack official clear guidance to supply basic provisions legally without facing commercial sanctions risks. • Humanitarian Action: Proposed immediate deployment of the Sri Lanka Navy, Coast Guard, MRCC Colombo, Red Cross, and ICRC for medical evacuations and aid delivery. • Key Demands to Government • Direct state maritime authorities to deliver urgent food, water, and essential medicines. • Clear local shipping agents to provide purely humanitarian non-commercial supplies. • Engage diplomatic channels with Iran, India, and Bangladesh to arrange seafarer welfare and repatriation.