By Xinhua
Colombo : The Sri Lanka Navy has rescued six Indian fishermen off the eastern coast from a trawler that was in danger of being wrecked, defence department officials said Saturday.
The Media Centre for National Security said in a statement that the multi-day trawler Ishan Lahiru with six fishermen on board developed problems in the sea off Sri Lanka’s eastern Batticaloa district on Aug 18.
The Sri Lanka Navy launched a search and rescue operation to save the fishing craft and after five days a naval vessel located the trawler Thursday around 640 km east of Trincomalee.
“Due to the prevailing rough seas in the area, the Navy first rescued the six fishermen,” said the statement, adding that the fishermen were brought ashore Friday.
The Navy also tried to tow the disabled vessel but owing to the rough seas and other technical problems, the effort failed.
The Sri Lankan Navy said it has at all times provided assistance to not only local fishermen but also to Indian fishermen in distress.