Sri Lanka rescues 104 Rohingyas adrift in sea

Following repeated appeals of the distressed Rohingyas to save their lives, Sri Lankan Navy yesterday rescued 104 Myanmar nationals, who have been adrift in the Andaman Sea for about two weeks with little or no food and water.

The distressed craft is reported to have trespassed into island's territorial waters on Saturday night, following a mechanical failure while it was carrying these people from Myanmar to Indonesia, reported News First, an online news portal of Sri Lanka.

Upon receiving the distress call by the operations room of the Northern Naval Command, the Sri Lankan Navy rushed SLNS Udara as well as Fast Attack Craft P 411 and P497 of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla for the rescue.

In rough sea condition, the navy made a strenuous effort and rescued those 104 Myanmar nationals who were aboard the non-operational craft and the group of people was brought to the Kankasanthurai Harbour and looked into their basic requirements.

Meanwhile, the group of people will be handed over to relevant authorities for onward action.

Meanwhile, according to UNHCR and Rohingya activists, other two boats with about 200 Rohingyas are now adrift in the Strait of Malacca. They reportedly began their journey from the coast of Bangladesh late last month and some of them reportedly died amid shortage of food and water for more than a week.

UN Refugee Agency last week repeated its earlier appeal to rescue the Rohingyas, who otherwise, risk deaths.