SLN denies Indian newspaper report

Sandasen Marasinghe

The Sri Lanka Navy categorically denies a news item which appeared in an Indian newspaper that Sri Lanka Navy injured 30 Indian fishermen.

Navy spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya stated that in reality the Sri Lanka Navy is attempting to repair their trawler that was found damaged in the seas West of the Delfts island. He added that the Navy accompanied the Indian fishermen in the trawler to the Delft island and they are being treated well by the Navy.

The Commander further said that the Navy personnel found the trawler damaged at sea yesterday.

The Navy is attempting to repair the ship and take measures to hand over the fishermen to the Indian Coastguards through the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

He said that the news was totally misleading and tarnished the image of the Sri Lankan Navy while the truth was the opposite.

The Sri Lankan Navy has acted in a more humane manner, he said.