Issuing a statement, the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) said that it embarked on a search and rescue operation to assist the ongoing rescue efforts at the sunken Chinese fishing vessel LU PENG YUAN YU 028, in the Australian search and rescue region, south of Sri Lanka.

At the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Sri Lanka Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel, SLNS Vijayabahu was deployed with a team of Navy divers to engage in the crucial mission.

As per Sri Lanka’s commitment to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Colombo established at the Navy Headquarters is responsible for coordinating and facilitating maritime search and rescue operations in its designated region as well as neighbouring regions.