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.
Police have arrested the suspect connected to the sexual assault on a female doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital today morning in Galnewa.
The Government today tabled in the House the Report of the Commission to Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Unlawful Places of Detention and Torture Chambers in the Batalanda Housing Scheme.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today he wholly rejects the Batalanda Commission report and that it was appointed wholly with the intention slinging political mud at him.
Leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) and one time Propaganda Secretary of the JVP Wimal Weerawansa accused the Government of bringing back the “Batalanda Commission” for a media spectacle instead of a genuine concern for those who suffered during the 1988-1990 period.
Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne to announced to the Parliament regarding the vacant seat created in Parliament due to the resignation of Mohamed Sali Naleem from his position as a Member of Parliament.
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