The senior sailor from the Navy Special Boat Squadron who died during a special operation to arrest a group of Indian fishermen recently will be laid to rest with complete honours of the Navy.
According to the Sri Lanka Navy, the deceased Navy Sailor’s funeral is scheduled to be held in Ibbagamuwa today (June 27).
Following the tragic loss of this senior sailor during active duty, the Commander of the Navy posthumously promoted him to the rate of Fleet Chief Petty Officer.
The Navy has also ensured that all necessary arrangements have been made for his family to receive the appropriate compensations and allowances.
The senior Navy Sailor died while engaging in the special operation conducted by the Navy off Kankasanthurai, Jaffna on Tuesday morning to seize an Indian poaching trawler in Sri Lankan waters.
During this operation, the senior sailor sustained critical injuries due to the aggressive manoeuvres of the Indian trawler, resisting its seizure. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the Teaching Hospital, Jaffna.
Following the incident, the Jaffna Magistrate conducted a post-mortem examination of the deceased senior sailor. The examination determined that the sailor’s death was an accident, resulting from spinal code damage. His body was handed over to the next of kin for last rites on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the seized Indian trawler together with the 10 Indian fishermen on board was brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour, with the fishermen being handed over to the Kankesanthurai Police for legal action.
The Kankasanthuraya Police has filed a ‘B’ report with the Mallakam Court in Jaffna, seeking the prosecution of the ten Indian fishermen. They face charges for illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters, the death of a Naval Personnel during the operation, and for causing damage to naval property. (Newswire)