October 30, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Navy has dispatched a special vessel to assist in rescue efforts for a group of fishermen whose multi-day fishing boat met with an accident in waters southeast of the island.
Naval authorities confirmed that the vessel had already departed towards the reported location, approximately 300 nautical miles from the coast. Initial reports indicate that four of the six fishermen on board have been rescued by an Indonesian fishing vessel operating in the area.
The distressed boat had left the Dondra Fisheries Harbour on 31 August for a long-term fishing expedition. According to the Department of Fisheries, the vessel’s owner reported it missing on 16 October after communication was lost.
While contact has been established regarding the four rescued crew members, the search continues for the remaining two fishermen still unaccounted for. A nearby merchant ship has reportedly offered to take the rescued men on board, and arrangements are being made to facilitate their transfer, officials added.
