A week after a deadly naval incident in the Indian Ocean that reportedly resulted in the loss of at least 87 lives, Sri Lankan politician Namal Rajapaksa strongly criticised the attack while speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026. The tragedy occurred when an American submarine struck and sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka’s waters, triggering global debate about the legality and ethical implications of the operation. Rajapaksa described the strike as unethical and suggested that while legal experts may debate its legality, the broader moral and humanitarian implications raise serious concerns.
The sinking of the Iranian vessel occurred on March 4, when a US submarine reportedly targeted the Moudge-class frigate IRIS Dena roughly 40 nautical miles off Sri Lanka’s coast in the Indian Ocean. According to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, around 180 individuals were on board the ship at the time of the incident. The strike led to the deaths of at least 87 people, making it one of the most serious naval incidents in the region in recent years.
Following the incident, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that an American submarine had indeed carried out the attack on the Iranian vessel near Sri Lanka’s southern coastline. The confirmation significantly heightened tensions and attracted widespread international attention, as analysts and governments around the world began questioning whether the strike complied with international law and established maritime norms. The event also raised concerns about increasing militarisation in the Indian Ocean, a region that has traditionally been viewed as strategically important but relatively stable.
Addressing the issue during the conclave in New Delhi, Rajapaksa said that the episode raises fundamental questions about the principles governing international law, the rules regulating maritime conduct, and the behaviour of powerful nations operating in strategically sensitive waters such as the Indian Ocean. While acknowledging that legal scholars may interpret the incident differently, he emphasised that the debate should not be limited to legal technicalities alone.
Rajapaksa pointed out that although academics and legal experts could spend years debating whether the attack violated international law, the larger issue lies in the erosion of long-standing ethical standards and practices that have historically governed maritime activity in the Indian Ocean. According to him, the values and norms that once guided responsible behaviour in the region appear to be weakening.
He emphasised that beyond the legal arguments surrounding the incident, there are deeper moral and ethical questions involved. Rajapaksa warned that the traditions and unwritten codes that have shaped conduct in the Indian Ocean for decades seem to be increasingly disregarded. In his view, the situation highlights the need for countries in the region to begin a broader and more serious discussion about how such incidents should be addressed in the future.
Namal Rajapaksa, who is the eldest son of former Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, further suggested that the episode reflects larger concerns regarding how powerful nations operate in regions that affect smaller states. He argued that actions taken by global powers can have significant consequences for countries that are geographically close to strategic conflict zones but have little influence over the decisions being made.
He urged nations surrounding the Indian Ocean to begin coordinated dialogue on establishing common approaches to managing security incidents and preventing unilateral actions by external powers from shaping the region’s security environment. Rajapaksa stressed that regional countries should collectively determine how to safeguard stability and maintain the Indian Ocean as a secure and cooperative maritime space.
He also pointed out that the current geopolitical climate, marked by multiple wars and international crises, has prompted many countries to question the reliability of international legal frameworks and human rights standards that powerful nations once strongly advocated. According to him, the growing perception of double standards in global governance has created doubts about whether international rules are applied consistently.
Rajapaksa further argued that countries bordering the Indian Ocean must work together to decide how to respond to such developments in a coordinated manner. He emphasised that regional security arrangements should not be dictated solely by outside powers, but rather shaped collectively by nations that are directly affected by developments in the region.
To illustrate the importance of regional cooperation, he referred to earlier initiatives involving Sri Lanka, India, and the Maldives aimed at strengthening maritime collaboration. These discussions, which began in 2011, focused on improving maritime domain awareness — a framework designed to enhance surveillance, information sharing, and coordination among countries in the Indian Ocean region.
According to Rajapaksa, those cooperative efforts gradually lost momentum over time. However, he suggested that the rising geopolitical tensions in the region could revive interest in such initiatives. Strengthening maritime coordination, he argued, would help regional nations better monitor activities at sea and respond collectively to emerging threats.
He also highlighted India’s potential role in maintaining regional stability. Describing India as a major power in the Indian Ocean region, Rajapaksa said the country possesses the capability and influence necessary to play a leading role in fostering cooperation among neighbouring states. He emphasised that collaborative efforts led by regional powers like India could help preserve peace and stability in strategically sensitive waters.
Rajapaksa also warned that maritime security challenges are evolving rapidly due to technological advancements. According to him, sophisticated military capabilities are no longer confined exclusively to governments or national armed forces. Increasingly, non-state actors and militant groups are gaining access to advanced technologies that can pose serious security risks.
To illustrate this point, he referenced Sri Lanka’s long conflict with the militant organisation Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). During the civil war, the LTTE had developed and operated its own maritime capabilities, including submersible vessels and torpedo systems. This example, he said, demonstrates how non-state actors can acquire and deploy advanced naval technologies.
Because of these evolving risks, Rajapaksa stressed that stronger coordination among countries in the Indian Ocean region has become more important than ever. The sinking of the Iranian warship, he suggested, should act as a catalyst for broader discussions among regional nations on how to safeguard maritime security while protecting the strategic identity of the Indian Ocean.
In addition to the security implications, Rajapaksa also addressed the economic consequences of the ongoing tensions in West Asia. He warned that the conflict has already begun affecting Sri Lanka’s economy, particularly through disruptions in fuel supply. According to him, Sri Lanka has started experiencing shortages of petroleum products, a situation that could worsen if regional instability continues.
He noted that Sri Lanka depends heavily on fuel imports from Middle Eastern countries, making the island nation particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions. Any prolonged conflict in the region could therefore have serious consequences for Sri Lanka’s energy security.
Rajapaksa also pointed out that Sri Lanka relies significantly on remittances sent by migrant workers employed in Middle Eastern countries. In addition, tourism — another major contributor to the country’s economy — could suffer if geopolitical tensions persist and discourage international travel.
Reflecting on the broader geopolitical situation, Rajapaksa concluded that powerful nations often make decisions based on their own domestic political priorities and strategic interests. However, he cautioned that such decisions frequently produce unintended consequences for smaller countries that must deal with the resulting economic and security impacts.
He emphasised that global powers should recognise the responsibility that comes with their influence. According to Rajapaksa, actions taken by powerful countries can profoundly affect smaller island nations like Sri Lanka, which are directly exposed to regional instability. He therefore urged major powers to ensure that their policies and military actions contribute to maintaining international stability and preserving a rules-based global order.
