A fishing vessel capsized in the Chilaw estuary on Wednesday morning, leaving one elderly fisherman missing while his companion was rescued. The accident occurred despite official weather alerts warning of hazardous sea conditions.
A search operation is underway in the Chilaw estuary following a maritime incident that claimed one of two fishermen aboard a vessel identified as "Rashmika Putha." The accident took place around 6.00 a.m. on Wednesday, approximately 17 hours after the two men had departed from the Chilaw area the previous afternoon.
The missing fisherman is a 67-year-old from Chilaw. His companion was rescued and subsequently reported the incident to local police. A rescue effort involving multiple fishing boats has been mobilized to search for the missing man.
The Department of Meteorology had issued multiple warnings prior to the incident, cautioning mariners about deteriorating sea conditions in the region. Despite these advisories, the two fishermen proceeded to sea. Authorities have reiterated calls for the fishing community to heed weather warnings and refrain from maritime activities during periods of adverse conditions, emphasizing the risks posed by rough seas.
