Lankan fishermen rescued from pirates by Seychelles Coast Guard complains of FM’s failure to facilitate their return

Fishermen who were on board a multi-day fishing vessel named Lorenzo Putha 4, which was hijacked by pirates in the Arabian Sea, in late January, and were subsequently rescued by Seychelles Coast Guard on 29 January, urged the government to facilitate their return to the country as soon as possible.

The skipper of the boat, who spoke to Sri Lankan journalists via video during a press conference in Chilaw on Friday, said they are not even given water on a regular basis.

The owner of the boat, who also addressed the media, said that Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry has not sent the relevant documents needed for Seychelles to facilitate the return of the fishermen.

Director General of Fisheries Susantha Kahawatta, told the media that he can’t tell an exact date when the fishermen will be returned to the country. He said the Foreign Ministry and Sri Lankan diplomats in Seychelles are taking necessary steps to secure the release of the fishermen.

“I think we will be able to secure their release soon.”

The multi-day fishing craft named “Lorenzo Putha – 4” set sail from Sri Lanka on January 12, the Director General said.

This was the maiden voyage of Lorenzo Putha – 4, .Kahawatta said that the vessel was about 1,160 nautical miles away from the Sri Lankan maritime boundary when it was rescued from pirates.