Navy moving with caution on Farha 111

Ananth Palakidnar

COLOMBO: The Navy is moving with extreme caution with regard to the incident where the Jordanian ship Farha 111 and its 25 member crew including the vessel's Captain have been captured by the LTTE, Navy spokesperson Commander D. K. P. Dassanayake said.

The spokesman told the Daily News that the Jordanian vessel carrying 14,000 tons of rice from Port Casinader of India to Durban, South Africa is now trapped in the sea bed three nautical miles off the Mullaitivu coast.

"We are constantly monitoring the movements around the vessel Farha. The Navy is acting with greater responsibility to ensure the safety of the 25 member crew of the vessel. Thirteen are Jordanians, 11 Egyptians and the captain an Iraqi. Contacts have been made by the Navy with the Foreign Ministry in Colombo, ICRC and the SLMM over the crew members safety.

"The Navy is particular that the LTTE does not capitalise on this issue," Commander Dassanayake said.

Meanwhile, sources said the ship's crew were now in Mullaitivu in the custody of the Sea Tigers The SLMM and the ICRC are constantly in touch with the LTTE over the crew's safety and the outfit have also given the green light to make arrangements for the safe return of the crew to their countries.

"Christmas for the crew members will be in LTTE custody and they would be able to return to their homes before the New Year," the sources added.

Along with the Navy, the Air Force's also making aerial observations in the sea area where the Jordanian vessel is stuck, sources added.