Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) personnel have rescued four Indian fishermen from a distressed fishing boat in the seas off Chilaw.

Upon receiving information from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, a coordinated search and rescue (SAR) operation was launched by the Navy, leading to the rescue of the four Indian fishermen on 6 July, the SLN said in a statement. 

The MRCC Mumbai, India, had alerted Colombo about an Indian fishing boat that went missing without any communication link on 29 June, due to severe weather conditions. Responding swiftly, the Navy deployed a Fast Attack Craft from the Western Naval Command to conduct the SAR operation. As a result, four Indian fishermen stranded off Chilaw after their boat encountered distress at sea were rescued. 

The fishermen were identified as residents of Minicoy Island, India. They were safely brought to the Dikkowita Harbour, where the Navy and Coast Guard provided essential support. Following initial medical checks, the fishermen were handed over to the Wattala Police Station for further procedures, the SLN added.