Search continues for missing naval vessel

by Norman Palihawadane

Lankan authorities have stepped up a search for a Navy boat that went missing a month ago, along with six sailors, while patrolling in the Indian Ocean off the country’s southern coast.Navy Spokesman Captain Indika de Silva said a joint search operation had been launched by the Navy and the Air Force to locate the vessel.A naval team, consisting of five sailors and a senior officer attached to the Southern Naval Command, was deployed for routine patrol off the Tangalle coast on 16 Sept.

Captain Silva said the Navy had lost communication with the team since 17 Sept.He said they suspect the boat might have developed an engine trouble and drifted.

“So far, we have not been able to find the boat or the sailors,” said Captain Silva.

He said neighbouring countries had been informed of the missing vessel.The naval team aboard the vessel reportedly had not taken any satellite phones or GPS devices with them.