Sri Lanka Navy rescued 138 Bangladeshi and Myanmar nationals stranded in a boat around 50 nautical miles off Akkaraipattu.
However, one of the passengers onboard was found dead at the time of the rescue.
The rescued foreigners, consisting of 127 Bangladeshis and 11 Myanmar nationals, were transferred onto the navy boats and brought ashore.
They were taken to the Oluvil Harbour for medical treatments and further investigations are in progress, navy spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.
Six of them were rushed to the Akkaraipattu Base Hospital for treatment for acute dehydration.
The rickety vessel had been first sighted by a local fishing craft which had alerted the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
An SLN FAC (P414) on routine patrol was immediately directed to the location followed by the dispatch of SLN Gun Boat Udara and back up FAC (P439) for the 20-hour rescue operation, navy media unit said.
