Search Underway After Fishermen Vanish at Sea

COLOMBO (News1st): Anxious families and fishing communities across the country are awaiting answers as seven fishermen who ventured out to sea from two separate coastal areas remain missing after failing to return for several days.

The missing group comprises four fishermen who departed from the Kudawella Fisheries Harbour in Matara on October 21 and three fishermen who set out from the Pudukudiyiruppu Fisheries Harbour in Mullaitivu on October 26. 

As concerns grow over their whereabouts, search and rescue operations have been stepped up in an effort to locate the missing fishermen.

The Sri Lanka Air Force said a Bell 212 helicopter has been deployed to assist in the search for the three fishermen who went missing after leaving the Pudukudiyiruppu area for fishing activities.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Navy has also activated search operations, with naval teams continuing efforts at sea to trace the missing fishermen.