Rescued fishermen, vessels handed over to Indian Coastguard

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Thirty five Indian fishermen and two fishing vessels rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy, were handed over to the Indian Coastguard in North West Delft on Tuesday, Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasooriya told the Daily News yesterday.

The vessels and fishermen were affected by the Thane cyclone. They were rescued by the Northern, North Central and Eastern Commands of Navy on a request by the Indian High Commission, he added.

Navy personnel in SLNS Ranadheera CG 40 and the Dvora Papa 465 handed over the vessels and the fishermen at North West Delft to the vessel Gangadevi belonging to the Indian Coast guard Department, Commander Warnakulasooriya said.

All 35 fishermen rescued by the Navy were handed over to police stations, to provide shelter, medicine, food and other facilities. An operation is underway to locate the other missing Indian fishing boats, the Commader added.