Two Indian boats, fishermen found by Navy

Three boats, 11 fishermen still missing:

Ridma Dissanayake

The Navy found two Indian fishing vessels and six fishermen following an extensive search operation in the Northern and Eastern seas, Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasooriya told the Daily News.

Another three vessels and 11 fishermen are still reported missing.

The Indian fishing vessels and fishermen had left Mallipatinam and Tamil Nadu on December 26, Commander Warnakulasooriya said. The Navy had launched the operation on a request made by the Indian High Commission. The search and rescue operations are continuing to locate the other fishermen and vessels, he added.

"One fishing vessel was found by Navy personnel attached to SLNS 'Wasamba' of the Northern Naval Command while it ran aground on the beach South-West of Delft on December 30, 2011," the spokesman said.

This boat had left from Mallipatinam Fisheries Harbour in India on December 26 and drifted towards Sri Lankan waters due to bad weather.

There were four fishermen aboard the vessel. The Navy provided food and shelter.

They have been handed over to the Delft Police, Navy sources said.

The other fishing vessel was also rescued from north of Delft by the Navy on December 31, and brought ashore with two Indian fishermen on board, they added.