Sri Lanka’s praise to the Maldivian rescue of two boats and crew

Sri Lankan government has praised the Maldivian coast guard as exemplary in friendship in the rescue of the two missing fishing boats in Maldivian territory and has sent gratitude to the Maldivian government.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Sri Lankan embassy in the Maldives, Sri Lankan Ambassador, Retired Major General Asoka Thoradeniya said that the operation by the Maldivian military was an exemplary humanitarian operation. And it has resulted in the growth of the friendship between the two countries.

The sighting of a Sri Lankan fishing boat was first reported inside Maldivian territory on 4 January 2017 by a local fishing boat. The Coastguard then rescued the two men onboard and was taken to Haa Alifu Dhiddhoo.

The Sri Lankan Ambassador said that the second boat was reported as missing by the crew of the first boat and the Maldivian government requested assistance in the operation. The Ambassador praised and expressed his gratitude to the effort by the Coastguard until the vessel was found.

He said that the Sri Lankan government began the search for a missing fishing boat on 24 December 2016.

The Sri Lankan Ambassador said that the Maldivian government worked no different than an effort to find it’s own missing citizens.

The operation has proved to the country and the entire world the friendship between the two countries, said Ambassador Thoradeniya, and it proves that the Maldives would not hesitate to provide the same assistance to any country in the region.

A total of six people were rescued on the two Sri Lankan fishing boats. Although the condition of one of the four crew onboard the vessel found 153 nautical miles off Haa Dhaalu

Makunudhoo was reported as serious, the Ambassador said that he is now in good condition. They are expected to brought to Malé City by the Coastguard around 8 p.m. tonight.

With the discovery of the first vessel, the Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Sports, H. M. M. Harees arrived in the Maldives and closely observed the state of the rescued and reported to the Sri Lankan government.