104 Rohingya refugees fleeing to Indonesia rescued by Navy off northern coast

By Norman Palihawadane

The Navy rescued 104 Rohingya Muslims adrift off Sri Lanka’s northern coast, Navy spokesman Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya, said yesterday.

The Rohingya Muslims said that they had fled the country to escape violence in Myanmar, and hardships in Bangladesh refugee camps.

The boat was first detected by the Sri Lanka Navy when it was 3.5 nautical miles from shore and a search and rescue operation was launched to tow the vessel to a northern harbour on Sunday night, according to Captain Wickramasuriya.

“They have been handed over to the police. The police will present them before a Magistrate who will decide the next step,” the Navy Spokesman said, adding that 105 Rohingya Muslims, originally from Myanmar, had been heading to Indonesia when their boat developed engine trouble.

Wickramasuriya said that 39 women and 23 minors were among the rescued people, and an 80-year old man, one mother and her two children had been admitted to hospital.

Police said that the 105 Myanmar nationals would be produced before the Mallakam Magistrate’s Court.

The Kankesanthurai Police are conducting further investigations.