08/03/2026
Call for Transparency on Iranian Warship Incident
Ms. Radika Madiwaka, Executive Director of TROW, has formally requested that the President of Sri Lanka authorize the release of any available transcripts or recorded communications relating to the final exchanges involving the Iranian naval vessel that was recently destroyed in the Indian Ocean.
The request follows the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena on 4 March 2026, approximately 19 nautical miles off the southern coast of Sri Lanka near Galle. According to international reports, the vessel was struck by a torpedo fired from a United States Navy submarine during the ongoing escalation involving Iran and a U.S.–Israeli coalition. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 87 sailors, while Sri Lanka’s Navy rescued 32 survivors and recovered bodies from the surrounding waters.
The Iranian warship had recently participated in the MILAN multinational naval exercise in India before beginning its return voyage to Iran when the incident occurred in international waters within Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone.
Ms. Madiwaka has stated that, given Sri Lanka’s proximity to the event and the involvement of its Navy in the subsequent rescue operations, it is reasonable to believe that maritime communications, distress signals, or operational exchanges may have been recorded by relevant authorities. She has therefore urged the government to release any transcripts or official records of communications related to the incident in the interest of transparency and public understanding.
“Events of this magnitude occurring so close to our shores inevitably raise questions,” Ms. Madiwaka noted. “If communication transcripts exist between the vessel, maritime coordination centres, or regional authorities, releasing them would contribute meaningfully to historical accuracy and accountability.”
TROW has indicated that its interest lies in ensuring that the public record surrounding the incident is complete and accessible, particularly given the broader geopolitical implications of the event in the Indian Ocean region.
Further developments are expected pending a response from the President’s Office.
