– Search and rescue operations have been intensified to locate three fishermen who went missing at sea off Pudumathalan, Mullaitivu, after adverse weather conditions hampered maritime search efforts.A Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter is scheduled to join the search operation on the morning of October 28, Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar said.The three fishermen left for fishing aboard boat No. MLT/1742 at around 7.30 a.m. on October 26 and have not returned since.

The missing fishermen have been identified as Antony Jude, 26, of Ambalavanpokkanai, Mullaitivu; Sri Pushparaja, 42, of Jaffna; and Muhammed Rizwan, 48, of Mannar.Following reports of the incident, Minister Chandrasekar instructed officials to take immediate action to locate the fishermen and ensure their safe recovery.He held discussions with the Ministry of Defense, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force on intensifying search operations and deploying all available resources.

As rough seas and adverse weather conditions have posed challenges to search operations at sea, the Minister directed authorities to coordinate aerial searches alongside maritime efforts.The Mullaitivu District Secretariat, District Disaster Management Unit, Navy and other relevant agencies have also been instructed to coordinate their efforts and expedite the operation.Minister Chandrasekar is personally monitoring the progress of the search operation, with priority given to locating and rescuing the three fishermen.