• Mission in Ethiopia instructed to coordinate action

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism has instructed the Sri Lankan Mission in Ethiopia to explore possible ways to assist in securing the release of a Sri Lankan crew member aboard an oil tanker reportedly seized by pirates.

Sources from the Ministry, responding to queries from The Daily Morning yesterday (26), stated the Sri Lankan Mission in Ethiopia had been directed to liaise with Somali authorities regarding the repatriation of the Sri Lankan national who was serving aboard a fuel tanker allegedly seized by Somali pirates.

Officials said that, at present, the Ministry has not received further confirmed details about the incident.

According to foreign media reports, the vessel had been captured by suspected Somali pirates off the coast of Puntland, Somalia.

Reports also stated that the ship’s crew included nationals from Pakistan, India, Indonesia and Myanmar, in addition to the Sri Lankan crew member.

There have been no confirmed reports of injuries among the crew. Authorities are reportedly attempting to establish communication with the vessel in order to assess the situation and determine the next course of action.