4 fishermen dead after consuming unknown liquid

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Four sailors died after consuming a liquid in a bottle they found adrift in the sea.

Director General of Fisheries Susantha Kahawatte said that two other sailors who consumed the liquid, are in critical condition.

He added that they are being brought back ashore.

The Sri Lanka Navy says that the sailors had found the bottle adrift in the sea, about 320 nautical miles south of Tangalle.

Medical advice was given to the sailors with the intervention of the Navy.

Police say that the multiday fishing trawler had departed the Tangalle fishing harbour on the 4th of June, for fishing activities.

Meanwhile, the fishing community in Tangalle engaged in a protest on Saturday (29) evening, demanding that the sailors in critical condition be brought ashore.

They blocked the Tangalle-Matara main road in Pallikkudawa.

News 1st correspondent says that the protest disrupted vehicular movement on the road.