The Seychelles Navy officially communicated this information to Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, Chief of Presidential Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security, today (29).

The multi-day fishing vessel “Lorenzo Putha 4” commenced its maiden voyage from the Dikovita fishing harbour on January 12, carrying six fishermen. According to the Department of Fisheries, the vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, approximately 1,160 nautical miles from land.

Consequently, the Sri Lanka Navy informed the Combined Maritime Forces, consisting of 40 countries located in Bahrain, to investigate the missing vessel. The Seychelles Coast Guard initiated a special operation to locate the “Lorenzo Putha 4,” successfully finding the vessel in the possession of Somali pirates.

In a commendable effort, the Seychelles Coast Guard arrested three Somali pirates, and all six fishermen aboard the “Lorenzo Putha 4” were safely rescued. Under the guidance of Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, the President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President, operations have been launched to bring the fishing vessel back to the country.

The Sri Lanka Navy, with special supervision, is overseeing this operation, and the Seychelles Coast Guard has informed that the vessel is currently en route to Victoria Port in Seychelles.