The Sri Lanka Navy and Police are jointly probing the fate of a group of Indian fishermen who were aboard two trawlers which caught flame off Pesalai last Thursday.
President of the Fishermen's Association in Rameshwaram, Devadason had claimed that there had been eight men on board and expressed worries as to what happened to them.
While one of the vessels sank, the other drifted off, having been damaged extensively in the fire.
Talaimannar Police Sub Inspector, Thiagarajah said the incident had occurred about two kilometres from the shore. He said the fire on the trawlers was visible from the shore.
The moment they received information on the burning trawlers, they had rushed to the spot by boat. At that time, one of the vessels was already sinking and could not be salvaged.
The other has been brought to shore.
Thiagarajah said they did not see anyone on board. Police feel those on board may have either jumped to the sea and swam across to the shore or may have been captured by others. But, none of this was confirmed.
Commodore Jayantha Perera said if the men were killed, their bodies should have been found in the vicinity. He is unable to say as to what happened to the group of fishermen.
The investigators also have a theory that the men might have been captured and the vessels arsoned subsequently, probably with the intention of putting the blame on the Navy. However, nothing is confirmed yet.
The waters where the trawlers had been were part of the territorial waters of Sri Lanka. Investigations are continuing.
(http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2004/09/12/new18.html)
