Fishermen rescued from pirates by Seychelles Coast Guard are still stranded

Fishermen who sailed in a multi-day fishing vessel named Lorenzo Putha 4, from the coastal belt in Chilaw were hijacked by pirates in the Arabian Sea, in late January, and were subsequently rescued by Seychelles Coast Guard on 29 January, now urged the government to facilitate their return to the country as soon as possible. ” We are now suffering here.”

Rakitha Dushan, the skipper of the boat, who spoke to Sri Lankan journalists via video during a press conference in Chilaw on Friday, said

that they are not even given water on a regular basis.

“We get food, but it is difficult for us to eat that food. Because there is nothing to do, we just swallow to quench our hunger” said Rakitha.

Francis Milroy 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 Foreign Ministry and Sri Lankan diplomats in Seychelles are taking necessary steps to secure the release of the fishermen.

“But, I can’t tell an exact date when the fishermen will be returned to the country. I think we will be able to secure their release soon”, he said.

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

According to the owner of the Lorenzo Putha – 4, this was the maiden voyage of that vessel.
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