Sri Lankan father and son rescued after 36 days adrift at sea

Two Sri Lankan fishermen—a father and his son—who survived more than a month adrift at sea by eating raw fish are now in police custody in Bangladesh after being rescued off the coast of Maheshkhali.

The pair, identified as S.H. Chaminda and his son Saunda Hannadigipiyawating, were brought ashore on Friday night after local fishermen found their disabled trawler floating in the Bay of Bengal. Police took them into custody the following night as authorities began legal procedures for their repatriation.

According to local sources, the two had been drifting for 36 days after their boat’s engine failed while fishing off the coast of Sri Lanka. They said they survived for 29 days by eating raw fish and bait after their food supplies ran out within the first week.

The trawler was first spotted on Wednesday night by a Bangladeshi fisherman, Ziaur Rahman, while returning from deep-sea fishing. He and his crew rescued the pair, who were reportedly in a severely weakened condition, and towed their vessel back to shore.

The fishermen were initially sheltered at the rescuer’s home before being handed over to local police. Due to language barriers, their identities and details of their ordeal were confirmed with the help of a relative acting as an interpreter from abroad.

Officer-in-Charge of Maheshkhali Police Station, Md. Abdus Sultan, said necessary legal steps are underway and authorities are coordinating with higher officials to arrange their return. The damaged boat has also been seized.

Further details revealed that four fishermen had originally set out to sea. After the engine failure, two managed to return home with the help of another vessel, while the father and son stayed behind with their trawler. Days later, unidentified individuals—believed to be from nearby waters—boarded their vessel and looted valuables, including a camera and binoculars.

Eventually, the drifting boat reached Bangladesh waters, where the two survived against the odds until their rescue. Authorities say efforts are ongoing to ensure their safe return home.