Navy launches SAR to locate fishermen of Indian vessel sank in SL waters

Sri Lanka Navy launched a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation in search of a Indian fishing boat and its fishermen that sank in Sri Lankan waters in the seas off Delft Island, the Navy said.

They said the incident took place on Monday night when the fishermen resisted arrest.

SLN units on patrol carried out an operation to seize Indian fishing trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters trespassing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), after observing more than 50 trawlers.

As the operation was panning out, one of the Indian fishing trawlers, with aggressive manoeuvres resisting the arrest, was on an attempt to evade from the scene making it collided with SLN Craft in operation and ultimately sank at sea having lost its stability.

The collision also caused damages to the SLN Fast Attack Craft which was subsequently brought to Kankesanthurai harbour safely for repair work.

Following the incident, Sri Lanka Navy commenced a search and rescue operation in search of the fishers on the sunken trawler and the operation was being augmented by a diving team as well as SLN ships and craft, in the sea area where the incident occurred, the Navy said.

It is quite evident that Indian fishing trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters are making aggressive manoeuvres resisting their arrest by SLN units time and again. In such backdrop, Sri Lanka Navy on a number of early occasions had informed Indian authorities to make the Indian fishermen aware of the vulnerability attached to such acts performing with scant regard.

Meanwhile, relevant Indian authorities have also been informed of the development of the current event by Sri Lanka Navy and onward investigation into the incident is currently underway.