Navy Spokesman Captain Indika de Silva said a joint search operation has been launched by the Navy and the Air Force to locate the vessel.

A naval team consisting of five sailors and a senior officer attached to the Southern Naval Command was deployed for routine patrol off the Tangalle coast on September 16.

The spokesman said the navy had lost communication with the team since September 17.

He said neighbouring countries have also been informed about the missing vessel.

It was reported that the patrol vessel was distressed in deep seas after getting caught in heavy current and drifted away from territorial water.

The naval team aboard the vessel reportedly had not taken any satellite phones or GPS devices with them.(D