The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has deployed a Bell 412 helicopter and a Y-12 aircraft for reconnaissance and rescue operations to locate fishermen reported missing in two separate fishing boat accidents off the coasts of Dondra and Kalutara.

Acting on the instructions of Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne, the SLAF launched the aerial search, while the Sri Lanka Navy has also deployed divers and a search vessel to aid in the mission.

One of the incidents involves a fishing boat that departed from the Dondra Fisheries Harbour last evening (June 27) with five fishermen onboard. It is suspected that the vessel may have collided with a commercial ship approximately 20 nautical miles from the coast. One fisherman has been rescued, while four remain missing.

The Navy, along with several other fishing vessels, has joined the search operation in the area.

In a separate incident reported from Kalutara, two fishermen — Nadun Kumara and his brother Duminda Nadun Kumara from Aluthgama — are missing after their small fishing boat, owned by Dhanusha Marine, disappeared at sea.

Local residents have launched their own search operations, and the vessel has since been recovered and brought ashore, but the two brothers remain unaccounted for.

Efforts are continuing as authorities intensify search and rescue operations in both locations.