Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekaran has directed the Director General of Fisheries, Susantha Kahawatta, to appoint a committee to provide recommendations on preventing fishing-related accidents.

The Minister has also instructed the Director General to take necessary steps to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, the Navy says search operations are continuing to locate a fisherman who went missing after a boat departed from the Dondra Fisheries Harbour in Matara.

Navy Media Spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath says that the operations are being carried out in coordination with the Sri Lanka Air Force.

The incident involved a multi-day fishing vessel named Dinesh-4, which met with an accident last morning in Sri Lankan waters, approximately 9 to 10 nautical miles off the coast of Galle. Five fishermen were on board at the time of the incident.

Following the incident, the Navy and Air Force launched a joint search and rescue operation. The bodies of two fishermen, aged 46 and 59, were recovered, while two others were rescued and are currently receiving treatment at the Galle National Hospital.

Further, the Navy said search efforts are continuing for two fishermen who went missing at sea after leaving the Moragalla Fisheries Harbour in Kalutara.

Minister Chandrasekaran also said that he has instructed officials to provide relief to the families affected by the accident.