Three Indian fishing vessels drifted to Sri Lankan waters due to inclement weather found

Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard managed to find 03 deserted Indian fishing vessels, believed to have drifted away due to strong winds prevailed over the past couple of weeks, in the Northwestern coast and Southern waters on 17^th June 2021.

On receipt of information , the Northwestern Naval Command found 02 of these Indian fishing vessels being washed ashore Periyapadu, Puttalam, during a patrol carried out in the wee hours on 17th June. On the same day, Sri Lanka Coast Guard too recovered another Indian fishing vessel adrift in seas, during a patrol conducted about 09 nautical miles off Dondra Lighthouse. These Indian fishing vessels have been kept in the custody of the Navy and Coast Guard until they are produced for onward investigations.

Also, there have been reports of Indian fishing vessels drifting to Sri Lankan waters on a number of previous occasions due to the adverse weather conditions. Since 2017, 16 Indian fishing vessels have been found by the Navy while floating in Sri Lankan waters. Accordingly, 04 vessels to the Talaimannar and Udappuwa coastal areas in 2017, 03 vessels to the coastal areas of Talaimannar, Mannar and Udappuwa in 2018, 05 vessels to the Silawathura, Dehiwala and Delft coastal areas in the year 2019, 03 vessels to Iranawila, Wennappuwa and Mannar sea areas in 2020 and 01 vessel to Walaepadu area in May 2021, have been drifted.

It is believed that the Indian fishing vessels may have drifted to the Sri Lankan coastal areas due to the effects of currents, having untied or broken their ropes in the wake of strong winds.