Fisherman missing in boat capsize in Chilaw – Prasad Purnamal

A fisherman has gone missing after a fishing boat capsized in rough seas off the coast of Chilaw, while another managed to survive after battling the sea for nearly three hours.

The ill-fated vessel belonged to a resident of Alutwatta, Halawatha. The missing fisherman has been identified as 39-year-old Janith Krishan Appuhami, a father of two from the same area.

The survivor, 36-year-old Idunil Nadeeshan, said that although authorities had issued warnings against venturing out to sea, they had stayed ashore for four consecutive days due to adverse weather conditions. However, driven by the urgent need to provide for their families, they felt compelled to take the risk and set out to sea.

According to Nadeeshan, both men initially clung to the overturned boat, but Appuhami eventually became too exhausted and lost his grip. Nadeeshan held on and drifted with the vessel until it neared the shores of Karukapane village. He then abandoned the boat and swam to safety.

While the capsized vessel was later recovered, as of yesterday, there had been no trace of either the missing fisherman or the boat’s engine. A special search operation involving several other fishing boats was launched in an effort to locate him.

Local fishermen have pointed out that the lack of a proper fishing harbour in Halawatha has made launching boats during the monsoon season particularly dangerous.