SLN rescues 32 Myanmar Nationals from Sinking Vessel

Sri Lanka Navy rescued 32 persons of Myanmar nationality whose damaged wooden vessel had began to sink in the deep seas 250 nautical miles east of Panama on 16^th February 2013. All were brought to the Galle Harbour on 17^th morning and rushed to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for treatment for acute dehydration.

The group, consisting of 31 adult males and a boy, had been at sea without food for 21 days when SLN rescued them in a response to a request made by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The rickety vessel, which had ventured on the dangerous journey 02 months ago, had been first sighted by a local fishing craft named "Sudu Baba 2" which had alerted the DFAR. SLN Offshore Patrol Vessel Sagara attached to the Southern Naval Command was directed to the location for the rescue mission accordingly. SLN medical personnel provided emergency medical treatment to the rescued that included 04 critically ill persons.

In a 20-hour SAR operation, Sri Lanka Navy rescued 138 persons of Bangladeshi and Myanmar nationality whose overcrowded wooden vessel too had begun to sink in the seas 50 nautical miles east of Oluvil on 02nd February 2013. All were brought to the Oluvil Fisheries Harbour and 06 of them, 04 males and 02 females, were rushed to the Akkaraipattu Base Hospital for treatment for acute dehydration.

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage also visited the rescued persons receiving medical treatment at hospital and inquired into their wellbeing.