The government has taken action to bring home the five fishermen who have been missing since 12th November last year and rescued by Indonesian Navy on 22nd January 2011.

Accordingly, the fishermen will be brought from ‘Padang’ to Jakarta by air and then to Sri Lanka within the next few days. The expenses to bring them home will be borne by the External Affairs Ministry of Sri Lanka with the association of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry.

Since the disappearance of the five fishermen in the multi-day fishing trawler, Sri Lanka Navy continuously coordinated with the Indonesian Navy and Air Force by providing required information to find them.

The fishermen were rescued 40 nautical miles South West of the island “Sikura” in the Indonesian waters on 22nd January. The Indonesian Navy and Air force were carrying out search and rescue operations.

The rescued fishermen are reported to be in a good health condition.