Somali pirates release 10 Lankan fishermen

Disna MUDALIGE

Ten Sri Lankan fishermen released by Somali pirates will return to the island today, a Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry spokesman told the Daily News yesterday.

The spokesman said that Lakmini-3 and Lakmali fishing boats which left from the Beruwela fishing port were captured by Somali pirates on November 28, 2010.

Lakmini fishing boat had left the island on November 2 and Lakmali had left on November 20.

"Both boats had been fishing together when they were captured by Somali pirates," he said. "However, two of the six fishermen on board Lakmali fishing boat - Lal Fernando and Sugath Fernando were kidnapped and 10 fishermen and the boats were released by the pirates," the spokesman said.

"Attempts to trace the two missing fishermen have been unsuccessful up to now," he said.

"The released fishermen and boats were brought to Miniko Island off India by the Indian Coast Guards. The fishermen who were handed over to the Indian Police by Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi will be repatriated today," he said.