COLOMBO (News 1st) – A vessel carrying five fishermen has encountered a mechanical failure while in the bay of Bengal.

Padmapriya Thissera the Assistant Director of the search operations division of the Department of Fisheries stated that a Navy vessel with over 100 sailors onboard has been dispatched to rescue the stranded fishermen.

Meanwhile, four fishermen who were reported missing on Saturday (Aug 18) after setting out to sea from Chilaw were rescued by the Navy following search operations.

The Department of Fisheries has called on small fishing vessels to refrain from setting out to sea till the Monday (Aug 20th) due to rough seas and strong winds.