Nearly 5 months ago, ‘Lorenzo Putha’, a multiday fishing vessel that sailed from Chilaw to the Arabian Sea, was captured by Somalian pirates and later rescued by the Seychelles Coastguard. With the intervention of the Minister of Fisheries, Douglas Devananda, negotiations were held with the Seychelles Government, and the vessel and the fishermen were released. Two weeks ago the vessel set sail to Sri Lanka and reached Dhikovita Fisheries Harbour on Sunday (23). On arrival, the Sri Lanka Navy recorded statements from them and released them and the vessel, after which the fishermen left for their homes with their next of kin who had come to receive them.
The next of kin stated that Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda heeded their pleas and drew the attention of the Cabinet in this regard, with a Cabinet paper to effect the release of their fisher folk from the custody of the Government of Seychelles. The Minister forwarded it to the Government of Seychelles, taking total responsibility, and requesting the Seychelles government to release the vessel and the fishermen.
They further stated that the Minister intervened to provide support and assistance to the fishermen while in the custody of the Seychelles Government, and hence express their deep gratitude to the Minister.
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