SL praises Maldives' rescue of 6 of its fishermen lost at sea
Sri Lankan Embassy Officials said the embassy was in contact with the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka to arrange the rescued fishermen's return, either in their own vessels or, to retain the vessels in the Maldives and send them by air.
Sri Lanka has praised Maldivian authorities for rescuing six of its fishermen who had been lost at sea since December 24, 2016.
Speaking at a press conference at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Male, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in the Maldives, Maj Gen (Rtd) B.R.W.M.R.A.B Thoradeniya said the untiring efforts of the Maldivian authorities helped rescue the fishermen. He further stated that, the Maldivian officials had set an example for all the other countries to follow.
According to Maldivian police, two of the missing fishermen were rescued on January 4 by the Maldivian Coastguard, when they were found adrift at sea in their boat, which had run out of fuel, and were spotted by a Maldivian fishing vessel in Thuraakunu, the northernmost island of Maldives.
Following the rescue of the two fishermen, the Sri Lanka Government requested the Maldives to assist in the search for four other fishermen who remained missing. Accordingly, the Maldives National Defence Force launched a search operation. Maldivian coast- guard ship ‘Huravee’ located the missing fishermen adrift in their boat last Wednesday (11) around 3 am, some 153 nautical miles west of the Maldivian island of ‘Makunudu’.
The health of one of the fishermen had deteriorated at the time of the rescue. However, he has since recovered.
Sri Lankan Embassy Officials in Male said they were uncertain yet, when the fishermen could return home. They did, however say, the embassy was in contact with the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka to arrange the rescued fishermen's return, either in their own vessels or, to retain the vessels in the Maldives and send them by air.
The fishermen had set out on deep sea fishing from Kalmunai on December 24. Fishermen on deep sea fishing normally return after about six days. However, the first two fishermen were found after almost 17 days at sea, while the other four were rescued after about 20 days at sea.