In a dramatic rescue operation, the Sri Lanka Navy successfully rescued 38 individuals who were stranded on a grounded trawler at the entrance of Delft Jetty this morning (27th June 2023). As a result of the Navy’s prompt involvement, a shipment of construction materials that were at risk of sinking, was also successfully retrieved.
The distressed trawler (Kali Ambal 2) was transporting a shipment of construction materials with 38 persons on board from the Kurikadduwan Jetty at Punguduthivu Island, Jaffna to the Delft Island this morning. Due to the low tide, the trawler ran aground at the entrance of the Delft Jetty, causing distress among those on board as the vessel started to fill with seawater through openings. Following the unfortunate turn of events, the distress call was disseminated to SLNS Wasabha in the Northern Naval Command for assistance.
Responding promptly to the situation, Inshore Patrol Craft and small craft belonging to SLNS Wasabha were rushed to the scene to rescue the distressed persons aboard.
The timely intervention of the Navy prevented a significant loss of life and property. Had the trawler sunk at the entrance of Delft Jetty, it would have posed significant challenges to the island’s administrative operations and transportation.
Kotmale Police have stated that luggage, mobile phones and other belongings of the passengers on the bus that met with a tragic accident at Gerandi Ella are safe with them/
Kotmale Police OIC Chief Inspector Vajira Ratnayake stated that the villagers who assisted authorities at the time of the accident handed over the passengers’ belongings to the Police.
The OIC also stated that 35 mobile phones, luggage and other valuables have been kept safe at the police station and can be obtained after the identities of the claimants are verified.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the bus conductor’s ticket book and the money he had collected could not be found.
The OIC had also stated that the exact number of passengers on the bus could not be ascertained due to the death of the driver and the fact that the conductor was receiving treatment in hospital.
PSL 2025 will resume on May 17, with the final on May 25. The announcement confirms the league will end a week after it was originally scheduled to conclude.
The four remaining group games will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Ground, with the playoffs and final in Lahore. Aside from one afternoon game in Rawalpindi – between Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators on 18 May, all fixtures take place at night, with evening games starting at 7:30pm local time.
“HBL PSL X picks up from where it left off,” he wrote in the post,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on X (formerly Twitter). “6 teams, 0 fear. Get ready for 8 thrilling matches starting 17th May, leading up to the Grand Final on 25th May. Best of luck to all the teams!”
The league, which was postponed due to increasing cross-border tensions with India, has eight games left.