Oct 19, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy is still continuing a search and rescue operation to find an Indian fisherman went missing after an Indian fishing vessel capsized Monday evening while illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

The Navy has rescued two fishermen aboard the sunken Indian fishing boat poaching in Sri Lankan waters across the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) northwest of the Kovilan Lighthouse in the evening of 18th October 2021.

Sri Lanka Navy said its units on patrol were engaged in chasing away Indian fishing trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters via the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), in the evening of 18th October.

“As the said task being put in to practice, one of the Indian fishing trawlers, with aggressive maneuvers, in resistance of chase away, was on an attempt to evade from the scene making it collided with SLN Craft in operation,” the Navy Media Unit said.

In the process the vessel had sunk having lost its stability as well as due to the rough sea condition.

Springing quickly into action, the Navy managed to rescue 02 fishermen aboard the sunken fishing vessel soon after the unfortunate occurrence and has been engaging in a search and rescue operation since the evening of 18th October to locate another fisherman who is said to be on the sunken fishing vessel.

The search and rescue operation is being augmented by a team of Navy divers, Fast Attack Craft and Inshore Patrol Craft. As one of the SLN Fast Attack Craft was damaged in the collision it has been brought to the Kankasanthurai harbor for repairs.

The two rescued Indian fishermen have been detained by the Navy and further investigation into the incident is currently underway while the development of the incident has been informed to the Indian authorities.