SLNS rescues foreign nationals [February 16 2013]

Sri Lanka Navy ship 'SLNS Sagara' in a search and rescue operation rescued 32 foreign nationals in distress, 225 nautical miles East of Sangamankanda point Batticaloa, Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

The SLNS Sagara rescued the foreign nationals believed to be Myanmar nationals around 2.30 pm as they were drifting in the sea for days without food or water, Commander Warnakulasuriya said.

He said the four who were in a critical condition were being treated on board the SLNS Sagara.

The ship is due to arrive at the Galle Harbour this evening with the 32 foreign nationals. On February 2, also the Sri Lanka Navy rescued 138 Bangladeshi and Myanmar nationals when their overcrowded wooden vessel began to sink in the seas 50 nautical miles east of Oluwil. The group consisting 127 Bangladeshis and 11 Myanmar nationals containing 132 males, 3 females and 3 children, had been stranded at sea for 10 days when the SLN rescued them in response to a request made by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department.