The Sri Lanka Navy has issued a statement clarifying the recent incident involving an Indian fishing boat that resulted in the death of a fisherman in Sri Lankan waters near Delft Island, Jaffna.
According to the statement, the Sri Lanka Navy spotted Indian fishing trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Delft Island on the night of July 31, 2024. The Navy deployed its vessels to prevent the illegal activity.
The statement explains that during the operation, some Indian fishing trawlers attempted to evade capture by maneuvering aggressively and disregarding the Navy’s orders. One of the trawlers collided with a naval craft, continued on its course, and eventually capsized and sank.
The Navy promptly launched a search and rescue operation for the four Indian fishermen aboard the trawler. Lifesaving gear was thrown to the sinking vessel, and three fishermen were successfully rescued. One of the rescued fishermen was found in critical condition and was taken to the nearest Punguduthivu Hospital in Jaffna for treatment. However, the hospital confirmed that the fisherman was deceased upon arrival.
The statement also noted that despite the challenging conditions of rough seas and strong winds, another fisherman, who was seen floating with a lifebelt, disappeared before the naval craft could reach him.
The Sri Lanka Navy continues its search and rescue efforts off Delft Island to locate the missing fisherman, with the assistance of the Indian Coast Guard. Meanwhile, the two surviving fishermen are reported to be in good health. The Navy will hand over the two rescued fishermen and the body of the deceased to the Indian authorities.
