Navy brings ashore 3 ill fishermen off eastern coast for medical attention

The Sri Lanka Navy brought 3 fishermen ashore for urgent medical treatment this morning, 9 November 2026, after they fell ill aboard a multiday fishing trawler at sea off the eastern coast.

The operation was coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo. The patients were brought to Trincomalee harbour before being transferred to the Trincomalee General Hospital for further medical care.

The multiday fishing trawler ‘Cheshan Putha 02’ had departed from Trincomalee harbour on 6 November carrying 7 fishermen. While operating approximately 25 nautical miles off the coast of Trincomalee, 3 crew members developed sudden medical conditions requiring immediate attention. Following a request for assistance from Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources through MRCC Colombo, the Sri Lanka Navy dispatched a Fast Attack Craft, P 450, attached to the Eastern Naval Command to retrieve the patients.

Naval personnel transferred the 3 ailing fishermen onto the craft, administered first aid and transferred them back to Trincomalee harbour and rushed the patient for medical attention.

The Sri Lanka Navy maintains continuous operational readiness to assist fishing and maritime communities experiencing emergencies within Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Region (SRR).