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Captured by pirates in international waters:
Five fishermen return after 33 days ordeal in sea
Kalutara District Roving Corr
The five Sri Lankan fishermen released by Somali sea pirates arrived
at the Beruwala Fisheries harbour in their vessel Ocean 04 after a
gruelling voyage lasting 33 days around 3.30 am yesterday.
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The fishermen being welcomed by family members and
villagers. Picture by Kalutara district roving cor |
They fell into the clutches of the pirates after setting off on a
fishing expedition from the Beruwala harbour on January 22.
The five fishermen who had a miraculous escape are Chandra
Pushpakumara Ranaweera, 53, of Mullapitiya, K L D Samantha, 36, of
Kalamulla, D Suhada Pushpakumara, 30, of Ethagama, Payagala, Lakshman
Perera, 37, of Aluthwatta, Negombo and W Sarath Ranjith Perera, 40, of
Pohoratota, Kochchikade.
A stream of relatives, friends and well-wishes visited the residence
of the Vessel’s skipper Chandra Pushpakumara Ranaweera at Mullapitiya
from yesterday morning to greet the fishermen and listen to their month
long ordeal.
Ranaweera said they were captured by the pirates in international
waters. He said the pirates seized all goods in their possession except
rice. After eating rice for a few days they had to survive mainly on
fish they could catch. He said being a diabetic he took his need of
drugs and insulin needed for their mission but all that too were
forfeited by the pirates.
The most surprising thing is that these pirates are operating freely
in international waters. Such incidents have driven fear into their
minds about going out fishing again.
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