Colombo, Sri Lanka

Four Sri Lankan fishermen died and two others were in critical condition after consuming an unknown liquid from bottles they found while at sea, reported the country’s media, on Sunday (Jun 30). The incident has also sparked protests as many have called on officials to bring those in critical condition ashore. 

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What we know about the incident

The sailors were said to be on a fishing trip, around 320 nautical miles (593 kilometres) away from Tangalle, a Sri Lankan town located on the south of the island nation when they retrieved the bottles spotted floating in the sea.

The media reports citing officials said that the fishing vessel named Devon 5 had left with six crew members from Tangalle on June 4. According to the Sri Lanka Navy, the fishermen drank the liquid from the bottles they found thinking that it contained alcohol. 

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The two fishermen who are critically ill have reportedly been taken aboard a Singaporean merchant vessel and are receiving emergency treatment, said a navy spokesperson as per national news station Ada Derana. 

Director General of the Sri Lankan Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Susantha Kahawatte said that they are working to bring the duo back to the shore. 

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However, officials have reportedly expressed concerns that there isn’t enough time to bring them back to land for treatment. 

Kahawatte also told the national news station that the fishermen in question had found several bottles floating in the sea and even distributed some bottles to nearby fishing trawlers. He said that they are trying to contact the other boats as well. 

Incident sparks protests

The incident has since sparked protests where the fishing community in Tangalle, on Saturday (Jun 29) evening took to the streets calling on officials to bring the critically ill fishermen ashore, reported the Sri Lanka Mirror. 

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According to the media report, protesters blocked the Tangalle-Matara main road in Pallikkudawa and caused significant disruption to vehicular movement.

(With inputs from agencies)