Sri Lanka, March 6 -- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said that a decision has been made to formally take charge of the second Iranian vessel, IRIS Bushehr, and its crew following a series of discussions with relevant stakeholders, including diplomatic missions and the ship's captain.

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, which was broadcast live on Rupavahini, the President said that 208 crew members aboard the Iranian vessel currently located near Sri Lanka's territorial waters are being brought ashore to Colombo.

He said the Sri Lanka Navy was in the process of bringing the crew to the Colombo Port. However, the Government has decided not to bring the vessel itself into Colombo Port, as doing so could disrupt commer...