Navy swiftly responds to bring ashore an injured fisherman for urgent treatment

The Sri Lanka Navy swiftly responded to bring ashore an injured fisherman and transfer him to hospital, for urgent medical attention this morning (21 Jan 26). The fisherman was aboard a multiday fishing trawler on the high seas off the south coast and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo coordinated the retrieval of the fisherman.

The multi-day fishing trawler, ‘Manel Sohoyuro’ (IMUL-A-0632 KLT), left Beruwala Fisheries Harbour on 23 Dec 25, with six (06) crew members. While it was fishing approximately 134 nautical miles south of Sri Lanka, a fisherman injured due to accidental cut injury of his two fingers. The developments prompted the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to alert the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, seeking immediate assistance.

The Navy, alerted by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, provided remote medical guidance (Tele Therapy) and directed the trawler towards the nearest harbour. Meanwhile, SLNS Sindurala in surveillance patrolling at Southern seas was dispatched to bring the injured fisherman ashore.

Subsequently, the patient was taken to SLNS Sindurala (20 January) and transferred up to Galle's Offshore Patrol Limits while giving first aid aboard. Further, a naval craft was sent to take over the patient from Sindurala, where the injured fisherman was brought to Galle Harbour. He was then rushed to the Teaching Hospital Karapitiya for urgent medical attention.

The Navy remains ever alert to emergencies of this nature, affecting the fishing and naval communities, and promptly responds them in close coordination with MRCC Colombo.