• Deceased sailor’s funeral today, posthumously promoted to the rate of Fleet Chief Petty Officer

The Police department has filed a ‘B’ report with the Mallakam Court in Jaffna, seeking prosecution of ten Indian fishermen arrested for illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters, and causing the death of a Navy rating, earlier this week. They face charges for; illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters, death of a Naval rate during the operation and for causing damage to naval property, the Sri Lanka Navy said. 

The Magistrate of Mallakam Court conducted an on-site inspection of the Indian trawler and the navy patrol vessel at Kankesanthurai Port, yesterday (26). “The inspection focused on the Indian fishing vessel detained by the Navy and the Navy's Fast Attack Craft, which was damaged during the operation,” the Navy said. 

The initial hearing for this incident is scheduled for 22 July, at the Mallakam Court, Jaffna, it is learnt. 

The funeral ceremony of the deceased sailor is scheduled to be held today in Ibbagamuwa with full honours of the Navy. The Commander of the Navy posthumously promoted him to the rate of Fleet Chief Petty Officer. 

According to the Navy Spokesperson Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya, the Navy investigation will be an internal one focusing on the facts pertaining to the said incident which occurred early this week. A report based on the investigation will be submitted to the Ministry of Defence for further action. He further told The Daily Morning that in addition, a Police investigation will also be launched into the incident. Adding that the sailor’s death is likely to amount to murder, he expressed confidence that the Police will most probably file charges against the suspects for murder. This is in addition to the charges pertaining to illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters and poaching.

Attempts to contact the Police Media Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police Nihal Thalduwa and also the Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday (26) to inquire about action being taken from their ends were not successful.

The Navy operation, conducted on Tuesday (25), resulted in the apprehension of 10 Indian fishermen who were poaching in the Sri Lankan waters off Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, and the seizure of a trawler used by them.

“The sailor of the Navy Special Boat Squadron succumbed to critical injuries. As he was boarding the poaching trawler from the fast attack craft, the accident had led to his fatal injuries, following the aggressive manoeuvres by the Indian trawler. Meanwhile, the fast attack craft of the Navy also sustained significant damage due to the aggressive manoeuvres of the poaching trawler,” a Navy statement read, adding that during these operations, the Navy frequently encounters aggressive manoeuvres by Indian trawlers, which often result in injuries to Naval personnel and damage to Navy’s ships and craft, as they attempt to apprehend Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

Despite the accident claiming the life of a Navy sailor earlier this week, there has been no statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Fisheries, nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the incident.