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In a joint operation, the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) with the Seychelles Coast Guard regained control of a Sri Lankan fishing vessel abducted by armed Somali pirates. SDF was alerted by Sri Lanka of the hijacking and deployed a rescue mission by patrol ship Topaz. The mission is still ongoing. The vessel, Lorenza Putha, and its crew are due to be brought to the Port of Victoria.
The apparent abduction came two weeks after Sri Lanka said it would join a U.S.-led operation to protect merchant vessels sailing in the Red Sea against attacks by Yemen-based Houthi rebels.
President Wavel Ramkalawan congratulated the Special Forces and Coast Guard team on a well-executed and successful mission. He said that this is the spirit of the Seychelles Defence Forces; professionalism, courage, and bravery are the tenets of the new spirit of the force.
Though small, Seychelles will make its contribution to attaining maritime security, peace, and determination in the fight against terrorism to ensure that the world, especially in this part of the Indian Ocean remains a safe and peaceful region. Once again, this reiterates the pride and confidence of the Seychellois nation in the Seychelles Defence Forces, said the president.
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The hijacking of the Sri Lankan vessel occurred in international waters about 840 nautical miles (1,555 kilometers) east of Somalia, 1,100 nautical miles (2,040 kilometers) from Sri Lanka and north of the Seychelles, according to Sri Lankan navy spokesman Capt. Gayan Wickramasuriya.
