Six Sri Lankan naval personnel who were serving on a European vessel under the command of an Azerbaijani captain belonging to the company Seagull Maritime were detained by the authorities in Eritrea starting from November 7, 2024, because the vessel entered Eritrean waters.

These Sri Lankans were held in that country for a period of one year, and several high-level interventions were necessary to secure their release. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Cairo carried out the necessary coordination for this.

Minister Vijitha Herath directly intervened and provided the necessary instructions and guidance to secure the release of these Sri Lankans, some of whom had also served in the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. Through the Minister’s diplomatic interventions, the six Sri Lankan naval personnel arrived back in Sri Lanka recently (on the 24th).

Officials from the Consular Affairs Division and the African Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present to receive the six naval personnel, and all six who arrived are in good health.