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.
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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