Two people are confirmed dead while another has been reported as missing following two separate incidents involving fishing vessels in Sri Lanka's waters over the weekend.
One fishing vessel with five crewmembers on board had sailed out of Dondra Fisheries Harbour in the southern part of the country on the night (local time) of Friday, June 27.
Authorities suspect that the fishing vessel collided with a commercial ship later that same evening, and all five of the crew were thrown into the water approximately one kilometre off the coast.
Local media outlet Hiru News said that rescuers have since pulled four survivors out of the water and brought them to hospital in Tangalle while no trace has yet been found of the fifth individual.
A Sri Lanka Navy vessel is currently off Dondra along with several local fishing boats in an attempt to locate the missing fisherman.
Meanwhile, just off the town of Kalutara further north, another fishing boat with two people on board capsized off Beruwala on Saturday, June 28, according to local police.
The bodies of the two fishermen were found washed ashore on a beach in Bentota the following morning following a search effort that had also involved other fishermen and a Sri Lanka Air Force surveillance aircraft.