Overview: On 5 March 2026 , Sri Lankan Parliament was briefed on a fresh maritime incident after a IRIS Dena was torpedoed in international waters near the island. The next day a second Iranian vessel entered Sri Lanka’s EEZ , prompting diplomatic and security concerns. Key Developments Parliamentary debate highlighted that the second warship was spotted close to the Colombo Port but remained within Sri Lanka’s EEZ, not its territorial waters. Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed the government’s awareness and that the President‑Defence Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Security Council are handling the crisis. Thirty‑two survivors rescued from the sunken frigate are being treated at a public hospital in Galle. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned of severe repercussions, calling the act a precedent‑setting atrocity. U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth framed the incident as a strategic victory. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath attended the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, reiterating Sri Lanka’s concern and the need for diplomatic dialogue. Important Facts The distressed Iranian ship had returned from the International Fleet Review 2026 held in Visakhapatnam. The distress call was received around 40 nautical miles off Sri Lanka’s southern coast on 4 March 2026 . Sri Lankan Navy recovered 83 bodies and continues search operations for the missing. Both New Delhi and Colombo have refrained from directly commenting on the U.S. claim of responsibility, though diplomatic channels have been activated, as evident from social‑media exchanges between the foreign ministers of Iran, India, and Sri Lanka. UPSC Relevance Understanding the legal distinction between EEZ and territorial waters is crucial for questions on maritime jurisdiction. The incident illustrates the dynamics of . Diplomatic engagements at forums like the Raisina Dialogue highlight India’s role in regional security architecture. Statements by foreign ministers and defence secretaries provide material for essay topics on conflict resolution, deterrence, and the ethics of naval warfare (GS4: Ethics). Way Forward India and Sri Lanka are likely to coordinate closely to monitor further Iranian movements and to prevent escalation. Diplomatic channels should be used to de‑escalate tensions, possibly through a joint statement at the upcoming Raisina Dialogue . For UPSC aspirants, tracking the legal proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and analysing the strategic calculus of the United States in the Indian Ocean will be essential for answer writing.