Pirated ship with Lankan crew:

Negotiations under way for their release

Chaminda PERERA

Sri Lankan High Commission in Canberra yesterday confirmed that the pirates who seized the cargo ship MV Charelle with seven Sri Lankans including the captain on board has started negotiations with the ship owners based in New Zealand for the release of its crew.

This cargo ship was seized by the Somalian pirates off the Omani coast on June 12 soon after it left Handramout port.

The ship was heading for Jabal Ali Port in United Arab Emirates when the pirates threatened the crew to drive the ship towards the Somali waters.

According to a Foreign Ministry official, the crew of the ship has also spoken to their relatives and said they are in good health and waiting for their release.

He said the crew is now maintaining a close dialogue with the ship company and the pirates.

“The Sri Lankan High Commission in Kenya has also taken up this issue with the Somalian authorities and closely monitoring the developments,” he said.

Seven of the 10 member crew are Sri Lankans including the Captain E.M.G. Bandara from Rakwana. The rest are First Officer Indika Ruwan, chief engineer Anton Seneviratne, chief cook Sunil Amerasinghe and Ajith Amerasinghe, Ananda Perera and Lakshman Perera.

The Foreign Ministry official said the pirates have not forwarded any demand for the release of crew and Ministry is taking every possible effort to get them free as soon as possible.