In response to a request made by the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka to render assistance to rescue 05 missing Indian fishing boats and 21 fishermen who had left from Mallipatinam in Tamil Nadu, the Northern, North-central and Eastern Commands of the Sri Lanka Navy have launched extensive search and rescue operations in the northern and eastern seas on humanitarian grounds.
As of now, 02 Indian fishing boats have been rescued along with 06 fishermen onboard. The Search and Rescue Operations continue to locate other missing Indian fishing boats.
One Indian fishing boat had been found by the naval personnel attached to SLNS Wasamba of the Northern Naval Command while run aground on the beach south-west of Delft on 30th December 2011. The boat had left from the Mallipatinam Fishery Harbour on 26th December and had drifted towards Sri Lankan waters due to adverse weather. The four fishermen on board were provided with food and shelter and later handed over to Delft Police for onward action.
The other Indian fishing boat was rescued north of Delft by SLN vessels on 31st December and brought ashore safely along with 02 Indian fishermen found onboard.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , January 02, 2012; Image: navy