Foreign Minister on Sri Lankan crew members on board vessels hijacked by pirates
March 25, 2010 07:37 pm
The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry has immediately called for a
report from the Sri Lanka Embassy in
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama states:
“My attention has been drawn to media reports on the
hijacking of a cargo vessel ‘MV Talca’ along with its crew members by Somali
pirates off the
“Following these media reports, I have immediately called for
a report from the Sri Lanka Embassy in
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the developments pertaining to the hijacking of ‘MV Talca’, which I am informed, is registered Hamilton, Bermuda and owned by Arabian Reefers Ltd in the British Virgin Islands. Since both are British overseas territories, I have also directed our High Commission in London to establish contacts with the British authorities with a view to persuade the company which owns this vessel to expedite the negotiation process and ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Sri Lankan crew on aboard this vessel. The Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Ministry is also in contact with the local agent, ALF Shipping (Pvt) Ltd, in order to extend any necessary assistance to the family members of the crew members on board this hijacked cargo vessel.
“At this juncture, I am also pleased to state that the three
Sri Lankan crew members from ‘MV Ro Ro Laila’ a ship which was detained in
“Meanwhile, negotiations are underway to secure the crew
members of a Saudi Arabian vessel ‘MV Al Nasr Al Saudi’ which was hijacked by
pirates along the Yemeni coast and then moved to the
“At the time this hijacking was reported, I immediately
called for a report from the Sri Lanka Embassy in
“The Consulate in Jeddah was also informed that the shipping company continues to have contacts with the pirates through satellite communication and that the pirates have assured the shipping company that the crew, including the Sri Lankan nationals on board, are in good health.
“Following the company handing over the salary dues of the Sri Lankan crew members for the past two months to our Consulate in Jeddah to be sent to their families in Sri Lanka, I have directed the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry to make the necessary arrangements to make this payment to the families of these crew members promptly.
“The Foreign Ministry will continue to monitor the situations pertaining to ‘MV Al Nasr Al Saudi’ and ‘MV Talca’ and take all necessary steps to expedite the release of the Sri Lankan crew members through the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry and our Missions abroad.”