A group of fishermen stranded at sea off the coast of Balapitiya were successfully rescued today in a daring airlift operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), following the directive of the Secretary of Defence.
The fishermen were aboard a vessel that encountered severe distress in the face of rough sea conditions triggered by the ongoing southwest monsoon. Upon receiving an emergency alert, a Bell 412 helicopter was swiftly deployed by the SLAF to carry out the high-risk rescue operation.
The dramatic rescue comes amid a Red Alert issued by the Department of Meteorology, warning of strong winds and dangerous sea conditions around the island. The alert is in effect from 12:30 p.m. on May 30 until midnight on May 31, 2025.
According to the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, the warning specifically targets sea areas from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar, as well as from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota. These regions are expected to face very rough seas with wind speeds of 60–70 km/h, while other surrounding sea areas may also turn hazardous, experiencing wind speeds of 50–60 km/h.
Authorities have urged fishermen and maritime operators to avoid venturing into the sea during this period and to adhere strictly to weather advisories.
The rescued fishermen are reportedly in stable condition and are being provided with necessary medical attention.
The Meteorology Department continues to monitor the evolving weather patterns and advises the public to stay alert for further updates.
