Search operations are underway to locate three Sri Lankan fishermen gone missing while fishing in the seas off Tangalle, Fisheries Department Assistant Director Lal de Silva said.

“The search operations were conducted by the Sri Lankan Navy and the Air Force on the instruction of the Fisheries Department but had found no clue as to what had happened,” he said.

“The fishermen had ventured out to sea on June 25 and were expected to return the following day. According to the boat owner the last known position of the fishing craft was 05.45 North and 80.49 East, and some fifty or sixty nautical miles away from the Sri Lankan coast,” Mr. de Silva said.

He said the Fisheries Department would today inform foreign countries to seek information on the missing fishermen.

Navy Spokesman Indika Silva said the Navy was unable to locate the fishermen even after several search operations.

“We have informed merchant vessels passing Sri Lanka waters to inform the navy if they sight the boat or the fishermen,” he said. (Chaturanga Pradeep)