SL/S/URAN/M/05

The Uraniya Wreck is an enigmatic iron shipwreck located in close proximity to the Uraniya area in the Hambantota district of Sri Lanka. Local accounts from fishermen indicate that the ship was operating as a cargo carrier, transporting fertilizer when it encountered a breakdown near the south coast of the country. Following the mechanical failure, another ship towed it towards the coast in an attempt to mitigate the situation. However, during the towage, the ship ran aground on a shallow reef situated near the beach. This unfortunate incident took place around the year 2001, as described by the fishermen.

Around 2007-2008, the Uraniya Wreck came to public attention when a local contractor applied to salvage the remains of the ship. At that time, parts of the wreck, presumably the stern/bridge section, were visibly protruding above sea level. In subsequent years, specifically in 2008 and 2009, the wreck was still visible from the beach, and some Google satellite images captured its presence as well.

Salvage operations were undertaken to remove the wreck and extract its valuable scrap metal. The successful salvage effort resulted in the complete removal of the wreck from above sea level. Due to the ship's considerable size, there is a possibility that remnants of the wreck may still rest on the seabed, concealed beneath the water's surface.

Despite the potential remains underwater, no records exist of any diving activities around the Uraniya Wreck site after the salvage operations were carried out. The removal of the wreck likely deterred further diving exploration in the area.