SL Navy rescues 105 Rohingya refugees in SL waters

A group of 105 Rohingya refugees fleeing to Malaysia by sea had been rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy when their trawler lost its course and drifted away to the  Sri Lanka’s waters about 3.5 nautical miles north of Veththalakerni.

The Sri Lanka Navy dispatched its team in the seas off Jaffna for a rescue operation after trawler is reported to have trespassed into island’s territorial waters, following a mechanical failure.

The group  included several elderly men and women and children. They  were brought to the Kankasanthurai naval base or further action.

Meanwhile, the UNHRC said the rohingya refugees were reported to be adrift in the sea close to northern Sri Lanka, when sighted by fishermen. The Sri Lankan Navy was quick to disembark the rescued safely on Sunday, 18 December.

‘’We are grateful to the Sri Lankan navy and all who have acted to save lives,’’ said Indrika Ratwatte, UNHCR’s Director for Asia and the Pacific. ‘’This is an example in humanity that all States in the region must follow to promptly and swiftly act to prevent the tragic loss of life at sea,’’ he added.

UNHCR said it is providing support to the Sri Lankan authorities for the immediate needs of those disembarked. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya and Hiran Priyankara)