By Dianne Silva

The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said that 5 Sri Lankans are onboard the Singaporean registered vessel hijacked by Somali pirates last week. Foreign media reports had earlier said that 21 crew members were onboard the MV Kota Wajat at the time it was seized by the pirates but there was no confirmation on the number of Sri Lankans onboard

The owning company of the vessel, Pacific International Lines has contacted the family of the 5 Sri Lankan crew members and assured them of the safety of the crew, according to Foreign Ministry sources.

Foreign Ministry sources further confirmed that the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore had been contacted by Pacific International Lines and was working towards the quick release of the hostages.

Meanwhile affirmative action is yet to be taken with regard to the MV Charelle, which has on board 7 Sri Lankans. The ship owned by a New Zealand company was taken hostage off the coast of Oman on the 13th of June.