Combined maritime forces help sought rescue Lankan fishermen from pirates

Sri Lanka Navy has informed the Combined Maritime Forces consisting of 39 countries to assist in rescuing six Sri Lankan fishermen who have been abducted by Somali pirates.

The multi-day fishing trawler that left Dikowita fishing harbour were hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, according to the Fisheries Ministry.

In addition to the Navy’s efforts Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry too has sought the help of the Somali Navy to assist in the efforts to rescue the fishermen.

“Our ambassadors in the region are in touch with the Somalian authorities,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Niluka Kadurugamuwa said.

The Somali Navy Commander Abdi Warsame Osman had also been contacted on the abductions.

Fisheries Ministry secretary K N Kumari Somaratna said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Sri Lanka Navy, and Defence Ministry have been informed about the development and moves are underway to rescue the fishermen as soon as possible.

The vessel named ‘Lorenzo Putha 4′ left Dikowita fishing harbour in Chillaw on January 12 to fish in international waters.

According to the Navy, the abduction was reported some 1,160 nautical miles away from the Sri Lankan maritime boundary and 840 nautical miles from the Somali coast.

The area located in international waters, 400 nautical miles from the Seychelles, is used by both Lankan and Chinese fishermen.