Pirates assure safety of crew

5 March 2010 01:45 pm - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Sri Lanka Consulate in Jeddah has held discussions with senior officials of the shipping company of the hijacked Saudi Arabian vessel and urged them to expedite the release of the 13 Sri Lankan crew members.

The Consulate has also informed Colombo that when the shipping company had established contacts with the pirates through satellite communication, the pirates had assured the shipping company that they would not harm the Sri Lankan crew members.

The Consulate General added that their officials had also held discussions with the General Manager of the shipping company, who had stated that the family members of the Sri Lankan crew members had been informed of the incident, including the actions being taken by the shipping company to secure the release of the crew.

The Saudi Arabian ship, ‘Al Nisa Al Saudi’ was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on Monday with a 14-member crew aboard which includes 13 Sri Lankans and one Greek. The tanker was on its way from Japan to Jeddah when it was hijacked. The hijackers have demanded a ransom of US$2.2 million.

The Foreign Ministry said that it will continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary measures to expedite the release of the Sri Lankan crew members through the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry and the Sri Lankan Missions in Saudi Arabia.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 6

Friday, 05 March 2010 03:07 PM

Decisions on most of crimes that take place in this world are reached in wrong way. As such no abatement in crimes can be seen.What the proprietor of the vessel is required to do at this moment is to take a stern action against pirates instead of giving them ransom.Holding discussions with pirates or offering ransom to get crew members released will not result in abatement of repetition of such crimes.

Friday, 05 March 2010 05:35 PM

The vessel-owners are helpless, in fighting international criminal gangs. who may even be working closely with some powerful governments. Even the UN and NATO are helpless - a real shame! ... The media is strangely very quiet about this tragedy?

Friday, 05 March 2010 11:14 PM

The world powers seem to be afraid of a few Somali pirates?

Saturday, 06 March 2010 01:01 AM

You mean GOSL?

Saturday, 06 March 2010 04:59 AM

Nobody is able to control the somali pirates for the last few years. The shipping company of Saudi Arabia among them. However we may keep confidence and give fullest support to our newly appointed Consul General of Sri Lanka to Jeddah in his endeavour as he found a good gentleman unlike his predecessor

Saturday, 06 March 2010 06:56 AM

They may safety than sri lanka

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Pirates assure safety of crew

Comments - 6

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage

New uterine loop for monkey birth control

Sajith avoids reception hosted for Iranian President

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand