Six Sri Lankan crew members onboard in a multi- day fishing trawler that left from Dikowita fishing harbour were abducted by Somali pirates in the Arabian sea, the Fisheries Ministry confirmed yesterday.
Secretary to Fisheries Ministry Ms K. N. Kumari Somaratna told the Sunday Times that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Navy and Defense Ministry have been informed about the development and moves are underway to rescue the fishermen at earliest.
The vessel named “Lorenzo Putha - 4” left from Dikowita fishing harbor in Chilaw on January 12 for fishing 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 Somali coast. The location in the international waters located 400 nautical miles from Seychelles is frequently used by both Sri Lankan and Chinese fishermen as well.
Customs have detected 228 mobile phones and tabs valued at over Rs 30 million left behind in the duty free shopping complex at the Banaranaike International Airport today, Customs officials said.
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