News
Eleven Lankan refugees rescued after being stranded on Talaimannar sand dune
By Dinasena Rathugamage
The Navy rescued 11 Sri Lankan nationals who had been stranded on a sand dune in Talaimannar after allegedly being brought from India by boat and abandoned there.
The group, comprising five children, four women and two men, was rescued by a Navy vessel and provided with first aid, food and other humanitarian assistance before being handed over to the Talaimannar Police on Saturday evening.
The individuals had reportedly been residing at the Anaiyur and Okkur refugee camps in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, before travelling to Sri Lanka by boat. According to their statements to investigators, they paid Rs. 100,000 to boat operators to transport them to Sri Lanka.
The group was landed on the sand dunes in Talaimannar, after which the boat operators returned to India, leaving them stranded.
An elderly woman in the group told police that they had been stranded on the sand dune when they were spotted by a Navy vessel passing through the area. Navy personnel subsequently questioned the group and brought them aboard the vessel.
Navy medical personnel examined the individuals and provided first aid, while they were also given food and beverages before being handed over to the police for further investigations.
During preliminary questioning, the group reportedly said they had decided to return to Sri Lanka after the Indian government reduced by half the assistance provided to Sri Lankan refugees, making it increasingly difficult for them to remain in the refugee camps.
They also claimed that the absence of a formal mechanism by the Sri Lankan government to facilitate the return of Sri Lankan refugees from India had contributed to their decision to make the journey by boat.
The Talaimannar Police have commenced further investigations and are taking steps to produce the group before the Mannar Magistrate’s Court.
A meeting between UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi was held on Monday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Particular attention was given to the Government’s programme to resettle people who lost their homes due to Cyclone Ditwah.
The Government’s programme to address potential disasters that may arise in the future amid El Nino conditions was also discussed. The Chief of Staff to the President briefed the UN Resident Coordinator on the Government’s preparedness and plans to address such challenges.
Mr Franche stated that the United Nations was prepared to provide the necessary assistance to the Government to support the successful implementation of these programmes.
Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist at the United Nations Azam Bakeer Markar and UN Sri Lanka Humanitarian and Resilience Officer Wagisha Perera also participated in the discussion.
[President’s Media Division]
[ Cricbuzz]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Udaygiri arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit today, 8 September 2026, where it was received by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-
honoured naval traditions.
INS Udaygiri is a 149.02m long Frigate, Commanded by Captain Vikas Sood. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the visiting ship is scheduled to call on Commander Western Naval
Area, Rear Admiral Harsha De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.
Captain Sood served as the Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka from July 2020 to October 2023.
During their stay in the island, the crew of INS Udaygiri will participate in several goodwill events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two forces.
The visiting personnel are also scheduled to visit prominent tourist and cultural locations across the island.
Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel are expected to visit the ship for capability observation and knowledge sharing, and will conduct onboard training during its stay.
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