Sources in the Iranian Embassy in Colombo, as well as Sri Lankan media, reported that Friday. The bodies of the 84 Iranian sailors who were killed by a U.S. sub attack on a warship near?Sri Lankan coast last week would be repatriated.

The U.S. war against Iran has caused havoc in the markets, disrupted travel and trade around the world and wreaked havoc. The bodies of the sailors who were killed in this attack are being stored in a morgue at the National Hospital in Galle, a southern port city. A Sri Lankan Court ordered that they be handed over to the Iranian Embassy.

Local media, citing the Sri Lankan defence ministry, reported that the bodies would be returned to Sri Lanka on Friday via a special flight from Mattala International Airport in the southern part of this island nation.

A source at the Iranian Embassy in Colombo said that arrangements were being made to transport the bodies from the hospital to Mattala Airport. She did not elaborate on the date of departure.

Pictures showed a police car leading a large truck carrying bodies down a busy street.

240 IRANIAN CREW REMAIN IN SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka's foreign, health, and defence ministries have not responded to requests for comment. Sri Lankan Navy said that it was not involved with the transport or repatriation of refugees.

Sri Lanka has also granted entry visas for 30 days to 208 crew from the second Iranian ship, the IRIS Booshehr. The vessel was taken in when it experienced engine failures in the same area.

The defence ministry reported that the country's Foreign Ministry is in contact with the Iranian embassy at Colombo regarding the crew. Tehran is also consulted by the embassy. The defence ministry reported that Washington had pressed Colombo not to repatriate survivors of the two vessels.

The attack on IRIS Dena was survived by 32 people.

Washington and Tehran are both important trade partners for Sri Lanka. The U.S. accounts for approximately 40% of its apparel imports, while Iran is its largest tea buyer. Reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe; writing by Hritam Mukerjee, Sakshi Dayal and YPrajesh. Editing by YPrajesh.

(source: Reuters)