Lorenzo Putha 4 hijacked, still no contact, all communications on standby: Fisheries Department

28 January 2024 09:52 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, Jan 28 (Daily Mirror) - Colombo Measures are being taken with the support of the Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lanka Navy to release the 'Lorenzo Putha 4' - a Sri Lankan multi-day fishing trawler which was hijacked by Somali pirates yesterday, Director General of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Susantha Kahawatta said.

He said the Somali pirates who hijacked the multi-day trawler have not made any communication with the Fisheries Department or any other responsible government institutions.

Therefore, we are unaware of the target and their demand to hijack the multi-day fishing trawler, Kahawatta said.

"We are hoping that the Somali pirates or the fishing crew might be able to contact the country soon after restoring their communications system or the radio system. They can contact our department at any time, and we think they will contact us anytime. Therefore, all communication systems with the Fisheries Department are kept online 24 hours a day. This trawler is 50 feet long and was on its first trip after construction. We suspect that the trawler was hijacked because it was a newly built one," he said.

The 'Lorenzo Putha 04' Sri Lankan multi-day fishing trawler that was hijacked by the Somali pirates yesterday is a newly built trawler with new equipment and on its first sailing experience, Kahawatta said.

"There were six fishermen aboard, including the captain, when it was sailing in the Arabian Sea. Because this is a multi-day fishing trawler, there were sufficient facilities, such as food and water in it and we think that the crew is safe. All measures have been taken by the Fisheries Department and we have informed the Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lankan Navy to rescue the trawler and its crew," Kahawatta said.

According to information received by a ship that had followed the multi-day fishing trawler, several armed men had boarded the trawler and shot into the sky to take control of the vessel, he said.

The trawler 'Lorenzo Putha 04' departed from the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour on January 12, and the abduction occurred approximately 1,160 nautical miles away from the Sri Lankan coast.

Comments - 16

Daya Sunday, 28 January 2024 10:20 AM

Contact Kenyan authorities who can deal with Somalian government.

Iwazaru Sunday, 28 January 2024 03:23 PM

Immediately send Ranil’s war ship or ships and rescue the poor fishermen.

Sokrates Sunday, 28 January 2024 10:29 AM

Maybe our glorious and beloved former President MR should be involved. He can ask his Chinese dictator friend Xi, who has a naval base in Somalia, to send special forces to free our fishermen and their trawler. Since China emphasizes its great historical friendship with Sri Lanka at every opportunity, the request will definitely not be refused.

Sam De Silva Sunday, 28 January 2024 11:41 AM

Sure, “Jumping” will risk his base and relationship with the Somalis to save a few insignificant poachers. The pirates have done Sri Lankan consumers a favour by preventing half rotten seafood reaching the market here. Most of these multi day trawlers don’t have suitable refrigeration to preserve the catch for such a long voyage. Anyone ever witnessed the unloading of these boats on arrival ? The ice has turned into water with decomposing fish floating in it. Never buy yellowfin tuna on the domestic market.

Clueless Sunday, 28 January 2024 11:51 AM

Is it a message to RW on his red sea adventure?

Waco Sunday, 28 January 2024 01:18 PM

Sri Lanka can get USA to send their Air Force to locate this Fishing Trowler.

Stay near SL waters Sunday, 28 January 2024 01:29 PM

Hope this will be lesson to the fishermen community not to venture too far out. Especially near know trouble spots. Think of your love ones

Dee Sunday, 28 January 2024 01:41 PM

Tracking these subversives are difficult. They are well integrated into society. We have good experience in such movements. From the military to government officials to private sector employees to ordinary laborers and housewives and children as well, they are all well woven into the system. Cannot pluck them off one by one, it would have to be a ‘mass’ operation. Surely HR movements will make a noise!

DOT Sunday, 28 January 2024 01:59 PM

A Risk of the Trade !

ANNECUNT Sunday, 28 January 2024 02:54 PM

LORENZE was asking for trouble , why want to go there , they will release the boat if we keep quiet. SIMILARLY u.s is asking for anothe 9/11 JAYAWEWA SRI-LANKA

Fisherman Sunday, 28 January 2024 04:20 PM

Never give a ransom money to the pirates.

Rohan Silva Sunday, 28 January 2024 04:28 PM

Director General's comments really stupid and irresponsible. I think he is also a political appointment for that post.

Alam Sunday, 28 January 2024 04:39 PM

Sri Lanka started the problem by saying, we will send ships to fight hoothis. Now we are target, because of boru show. We have a bath tub navy, no blue water.

Premalal Perera Sunday, 28 January 2024 05:20 PM

I thought we already had a war ship tackling the Houthies in that very area.

Gt Sunday, 28 January 2024 06:23 PM

Are these somali pirates angry at sri lankas involvement in red sea issues? Sending warships to support genocide will make all sri lankan vessels a target

Sambo Sunday, 28 January 2024 07:21 PM

We request the Somali pirates to takes steps to immediately release them or will have to send our local Rambo who have his bags packed and waiting for the call.

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Lorenzo Putha 4 hijacked, still no contact, all communications on standby: Fisheries Department

Comments - 16

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