COLOMBO (NewsRadio); The Sri Lanka Navy has rescued 104 Myanmar nationals onboard a boat in Sri Lankan waters about 3.5 nautical miles north of Veththalakerni this morning (18).
The Navy said in a statement the distressed craft is reported to have trespassed into Lankan territorial waters last night (17), following a mechanical failure while it was carrying people from Myanmar to Indonesia.
Upon receipt of the distress call by the Operations Room of the Northern Naval Command, the Navy last night had deployed the SLNS Udara as well as Fast Attack Craft P 411 and P497 of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla attached to the Northern Naval Command on a rescue operation in Northern seas.
In rough sea condition, the Navy made a strenuous effort and rescued those 104 Myanmar nationals who were onboard the non-operational craft.
The Navy added that the group of people was brought to the Kankesanturai Harbour and provided with basic requirements this morning.
The group will be handed over to relevant authorities for further action.
In accordance with Sri Lanka’s international obligations as an island nation to the conventions such as International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 – SOLAS and International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue 1979, the Navy remains ever alert to assist maritime and fishing communities in distress in Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Region.
