COLOMBO (News 1st); Five Sri Lankan fishermen have been rescued by a merchant ship after a Sri Lankan fishing vessel capsized off the coast of the Maldives.

The Navy Spokesperson, Captain Indika de Silva said that there were six fishermen on board the vessel, however, one was missing.

The rescued fishermen are due to be handed over to the Navy by the relevant merchant ship off the coast of Galle this afternoon (08).

The fishing vessel, named Asela Putha has gone to sea from Beruwala.

Subsequently, the owner of the vessel had complained to the Beruwala Police on 5th January that communication with the vessel had been disrupted.

The Navy said it had informed the Maldivian and Mumbai naval authorities about the incident as well.