Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday (19) said efforts are underway to secure the release of a Sri Lankan woman who was onboard an aid boat bound for Palestine and had allegedly been detained by the Israeli forces.

Responding to questions during the weekly Cabinet briefing, Herath said his Ministry is taking all necessary steps to secure the release of Sameera Mahboobdeen, who was allegedly detained by Israeli forces while en route to Palestine. Mahboobdeen was part of a Gaza aid flotilla. He said the Ministry had received information about the incident as of Monday (18) evening and that necessary action is being taken. He added that diplomatic intervention is currently underway.

According to foreign media, the flotilla was intercepted by Israeli Naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea while several activists from several countries had been detained after their boats were stopped.