Rescue efforts continuing in Sri Lanka after passenger boat capsizes

The Sri Lanka Navy on Monday said it was continuing rescue operations to search for passengers still missing after a boat capsized in Sri Lanka's southern seas on Sunday morning.

Navy Spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Chaminda Walakuluge told Xinhua that several navy boats had been deployed in the search operations while 15 divers from the Sri Lanka Navy were also involved.

Walakuluge said salvage operations were also underway to recover the capsized boat.

"We feel there maybe some bodies in the capsized boat. Once we recover the boat, we will have more details," he said.

Eleven bodies have been recovered so far while 32 passengers have been rescued.

Those rescued are presently receiving treatment in the Kalutara and Nagoda Hospitals in the south.

Walakuluge said the survivors had been unable to give accurate figures on the number of passengers aboard.

The boat which capsized on Sunday morning in the seas off Kalutara had been transporting passengers to a wedding.

The navy said the boat, a fishing trawler, had been overloaded with passengers and had not followed the safety regulations.

Walakuluge said the passengers had not had life jackets and the navy and coast guard had also not been informed.

The police have launched an investigation into the incident. Endit