Search & Rescue

Navy’s swift response brings relief and hope to people affected by floods

In the wake of inclement weather prevailing in several parts of the island, the Navy has swiftly mobilized its relief teams in Galle, Akuressa, Kotapola, Nagoda, Thawalama, Kamburupitiya and Athuraliya areas in the Southern Province since 14th May 2023. Demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding lives and property, the Navy relief teams are currently engaged in alleviating the suffering of the affected communities.

15 May 2023

Navy and Coast Guard rescue 06 fishermen aboard distressed fishing trawler off Beruwala

A dedicated search and rescue operation mounted this morning (14th May 2023) by the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard led to the rescue of 06 fishermen aboard a local multiday fishing trawler in distress off Beruwala. Reportedly, the fishing trawler was at the risk of sinking due to seeping of sea water following adverse weather, whilst it was at sea about 08 nautical miles (about 15km) off the Beruwala Lighthouse. The rescue was made by Sri Lanka Coast Guard Craft CG 208.

14 May 2023

Navy renders towing assistance to distressed local fishing trawler in eastern seas

The Sri Lanka Navy rendered towing assistance to a distressed local multiday fishing trawler in eastern seas and guided it safely to the Cod Bay Fisheries Harbour today (10th March 2023). In coordination with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo established at the Navy Headquarters, this SAR operation was mounted to rescue 06 fishermen on the fishing trawler which was in distress, due to a mechanical failure, about 54 nautical miles (about 100km) off the eastern coast.

10 Mar 2023

Navy brings distressed foreign pleasure craft in southern seas to Port of Hambantota for repairs

Sri Lanka Navy, in coordination with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, rendered assistance to bring ashore a non-motorised pleasure craft in distress off the southern coast on 02nd March 2023. The pleasure craft ‘Little Donkey’ belongs to New Zealand was on a marine research as it ran into a defect in its pedal based rowing system. Accordingly, the craft with 02 foreign crew members aboard were safely towed to the Port of Hambantota to fix the issue.

03 Mar 2023

Navy renders assistance to bring ashore ill fisherman for treatment

The Sri Lanka Navy brought ashore a fisherman, who fell ill while at sea, and rushed him to the hospital for treatment on the night of 17th February 2023. The fisherman who was aboard a local multiday fishing trawler in seas about 5.3 nautical miles (about 09 km) east of Hambantota had suddenly fallen ill and was in need of medical attention.

18 Feb 2023

Navy renders assistance for safe release of whales stranded on Kudawa Beach, Kalpitiya

Sri Lanka Navy sprang into action today (11th February 2023) to save a pod of whales beached on Kudawa in Kalpitiya and guide them back to the ocean.

12 Feb 2023

Navy rescues 04 distressed fishermen in eastern seas

During a rescue operation carried out off Lankapatuna in Trincomalee today (02nd February 2023), Sri Lanka Navy rescued 04 fishermen in distress, as their fishing trawler had collided against a reef in the sea area.

03 Feb 2023

Navy renders assistance to snuff out fire at mill

The Navy was pressed into action to put out a sudden fire erupted at a mill in Werella area, Wattala in the wee hours of today (27th January 2023).

27 Jan 2023

Naval person rescues a man from watery grave off Kudawa, Kalpitiya

A naval person managed to rescue a man who was at the risk of drowning in the sea area of Kudawa in Kalpitiya on 30th December 2022. The sailor who is attached to SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command came to the rescue, as he was on duty at a nearby roadblock.

31 Dec 2022

Navy comes to the aid of 104 distressed Myanmar nationals in Sri Lanka’s waters

Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to rescue 104 distressed Myanmar nationals aboard a passenger craft in Sri Lanka’s waters about 3.5 nautical miles north of Veththalakerni this morning (18th December 2022). The distressed craft is reported to have trespassed into island’s territorial waters last night (17th December), following a mechanical failure while it was carrying these people from Myanmar to Indonesia.

18 Dec 2022