Search and rescue operations have been intensified to locate three fishermen who went missing at sea off Pudumathalan, Mullaitivu, after they failed to return from a fishing trip yesterday (26).

Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar has instructed relevant authorities to take urgent action to locate the missing fishermen.

The Minister has held discussions with the Ministry of Defence, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force to accelerate search operations.

The three fishermen left Pudumathalan aboard fishing boat No. MLT/1742 at around 7.30 a.m. on October 26, 2026. They have not returned since, the Ministry said in a statement.

The missing fishermen have been identified as Antony Jude, 26, of Ambalavanpokkanai in Mullaitivu; Sri Pushparaja, 42, of Jaffna; and Muhammed Rizwan, 48, of Mannar.

Rough seas and adverse weather conditions have posed challenges to the search operation. Accordingly, arrangements have been made to deploy a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter to support the search, with aerial operations scheduled to begin tomorrow.

The Mullaitivu District Secretariat, the District Disaster Management Unit, the Sri Lanka Navy and other relevant agencies have also been instructed to coordinate their efforts.

Minister Chandrasekar is closely monitoring the operation and has urged authorities to use all available resources to locate the missing fishermen and ensure their safe recovery, the statement from the Ministry of Fisheries said.