Sri Lanka, Oct. 4 -- Sri Lanka is facing a delicate diplomatic dilemma over around 20 Iranian oil tankers stranded off its southwestern coast, with former diplomat Dr Dayan Jayatilleka calling on the government to put humanitarian obligations ahead of concerns over US secondary sanctions.

A Wall Street Journal report said the tankers were stranded roughly 15 miles off Sri Lanka and that several were facing shortages of food, fuel and fresh water amid tightening US sanctions and maritime restrictions.

The report stated US officials had in recent weeks pressed Sri Lankan authorities to prevent local vessels from supplying the tankers and their crews, citing Sri Lankan government documents and companies involved in supplying the vessels. ...