18 July 2019 09:02 pm
The Navy rescued nine sailors on board a barge which was swept away by gale-force winds that were experienced in the outer harbour of the Galle Port and had started to head towards the seas off Sama Viharaya in Rumassala this evening.
The barge ‘Sri Lanka Glory,’ which carries clinkers to the Ruhunu Cement Plant in Galle, had been stuck between reefs during the gale-force winds and heavy showers experienced in the area.
A tug boat had been sent to rescue the sailors but had faced difficulties in getting close to the damaged vessel. However, Navy Spokesman Isuru Suriyabandara said the navy rescued all nine sailors and taken them to safety, leaving the barge behind. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya and Sugathapala Diyagahage)