Navy brings ashore seriously ill fisherman in eastern seas for medical attention

The Sri Lanka Navy, in coordination with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, evacuated an ill fisherman from a multi-day fishing trawler operating off the east coast, on 3 October 2026. The fisherman was subsequently transferred to Trincomalee General Hospital for further treatment.

The multi-day fishing trawler ‘Venusha Putha’ had departed from Trincomalee fisheries harbour on 1 October. While fishing about 11 nautical miles off Trincomalee, one of its crew members became seriously ill. Following a request from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to the MRCC Colombo for assistance, the Navy deployed P 460, a Fast Attack Craft attached to the Eastern Naval Command, to evacuate the fisherman.

The fisherman was transferred to the naval craft and given initial first aid before being taken to Trincomalee harbour. He was subsequently transferred to Trincomalee District General Hospital for further treatment.

The Sri Lanka Navy remains vigilant, in coordination with the Colombo MRCC, to provide timely assistance to maritime and fishing communities in distress within Sri Lanka's search and rescue region.