Govt. seeks release of six SL sea marshals in Eritrean captivity

Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to persuade Eritrea to release six Sri Lankan Sea Marshals (armed maritime security personnel) taken into custody on 07 Nov., 2024. They had been arrested in Eritrean waters, sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations told The Island.

- BY SHAMINDRA FERDINANDO

Sri Lankans, employed by Azerbaijani company Caspian Marine Service B.V., were among the 24-member crew of three Azerbaijan flagged tugboats intercepted for entering Eritrean waters. Sources said that tugboats had to be diverted due to adverse weather and Eritrea released and repatriated all 18 Azerbaijan crew in late March.

Eritrea shares borders with Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. Sri Lanka doesn't have a mission in Eritrea.

Sources revealed that the Sri Lankans identification papers had been confiscated, along with communication devices. They were identified as A. G. P. N. K Atapattu, W. M. L. Piyasena, A. L. M. Haleem, L. M. S. K. Lankanayaka, K.C. P. Thilakaratne and P. W. K. C. S. Pathiraja. Except for Atapattu who had served the Army the rest were ex-Navy.