In brief
Sri Lanka’s Navy and Air Force have begun search operations for two fishing vessels that have not been located, after one 4‑man boat departed from Matara in the south and vanished after last contact, and a 3‑man boat departed from Mullaitivu in the northeast and remains unaccounted for. The search is challenged by strong winds and rough seas tied to a Bay of Bengal cyclone, with meteorological authorities advising suspension of marine activities in the area.
Sri Lanka’s Navy and Air Force opened search operations on Wednesday for seven fishermen reported missing in two separate incidents off the southern and northeastern coasts of the country. The operation was announced by the Navy following the disappearance of a four‑person vessel that left Matara on October 21 and lost contact after October 23, and the ongoing search for a three‑person vessel that departed from Mullaitivu on an unknown date.
The Southern incident involved a fishing boat that departed from Kudawella in the Matara district on October 21. According to the Navy, the fishermen’s last communication with the vessel’s owner was on October 23. After that, contact was lost, and the owner reported the vessel missing, leading to a joint Navy‑Air Force search effort coordinated to locate the missing crew.
In the Northern case, a separate search continues for a fishing vessel that left Puthumathalan in the Mullaitivu district. While the exact departure date was not specified, the vessel it carried a crew of three fishermen and has yet to be located. The Navy confirmed that operations remain active for both incidents and that resources are being deployed to locate the missing crews.
Both search operations are taking place under severe environmental conditions. The Department of Meteorology warned of strong winds, rough seas and heavy thunder showers associated with cyclonic conditions currently present in the Bay of Bengal. The agency advised fishermen and naval vessels to suspend activities in the affected sea areas until further notice and urged those already at sea to move to safer waters.
The Naval statement stressed that the joint search, with Air Force support, will involve aerial and maritime assets to cover the large search area. The operation seeks to locate both the missing vessels and their crews, and the emergency response plan has been activated to provide assistance if the fishermen are found.
Xinhua’s report notes that the search operations have been launched “with assistance from the Air Force,” indicating inter‑branch collaboration. The Navy’s statement also highlighted the department’s call for fishermen to stay off‑risk areas, underscoring the critical role of weather warnings in maritime safety for the region.
While the operation is underway, Sri Lanka’s naval and meteorological agencies have emphasized the importance of coordinating rescue efforts in the face of unpredictable weather patterns that could complicate search activities. As at present, no visual confirmation of either vessel has been reported, the focus remains on using multiple resources to scan the sea for debris or other signs of the missing fishermen.
In summary, the Sri Lankan government’s response to the disappearance of seven fishermen indicates a coordinated action between navy and air force units, coupled with precautionary measures issued by the meteorological department to prevent further loss at sea. The search is ongoing, and details will be updated as new information becomes available.
