Six Sri Lankan sea marshals remain in Eritrean captivity nearly a year after their arrest, with diplomatic negotiations dragging on and families at home facing hardship and uncertainty.
The government of Sri Lanka is still fighting to secure the release of six Sri Lankan sea marshals detained in Eritrean waters on November 7, 2024. Despite months of negotiations, meetings, and diplomatic appeals, Eritrean authorities have not relented. The six men, all former military personnel employed as maritime security guards, were working under Azerbaijani company Caspian Marine Service B.V. when their tugboats were intercepted.
According to sources familiar with the case, three Azerbaijan-flagged tugboats carrying a 24-member crew were forced into Eritrean waters due to adverse weather conditions. Eritrean authorities intercepted the vessels, arrested the crew, and confiscated identification papers and communication devices. While 18 Azerbaijani nationals were released and repatriated in March, the six Sri Lankans remain behind bars, their exact location unknown.
The detained men were identified as A. G. P. N. K. Atapattu, W. M. L. Piyasena, A. L. M. Haleem, L. M. S. K. Lankanayaka, K. C. P. Thilakaratne, and P. W. K. C. S. Pathiraja. Except for Atapattu, who previously served in the Army, the rest are former Navy personnel. Their deployment was arranged through Seagull Maritime PMSC, with Freightplan (Pvt.) Ltd. acting as the local agent.
Efforts to secure their release have included multiple meetings at various levels, both physical and virtual. Officials revealed that the Sri Lanka Red Cross has also been approached for assistance in determining the men’s whereabouts. A well-informed source admitted serious concern over Eritrea’s decision to free the Azerbaijani crew but continue holding the Sri Lankans without charges.
The prolonged detention has taken a heavy toll on the families. The suspension of pensions for the ex-Navy personnel has left dependents facing financial strain. Relatives have appealed directly to Eritrean authorities and the clergy for compassion and action, but the silence from Eritrea persists.
Diplomatically, Sri Lanka has faced major obstacles. Eritrea shares borders with Ethiopia, Sudan, and Djibouti but Sri Lanka does not maintain a mission there. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Cairo, accredited to Eritrea, has formally requested access to the men, while the embassy in Ethiopia has sought Azerbaijani help. Yet Eritrean officials have not clarified the legal status of the detainees or offered transparency about the judicial process.
Analysts argue that the government must now escalate the case. Sources suggested that Sri Lanka should consider appealing to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) to compel Eritrea to respond formally. The concern is not only the length of detention but also the absence of charges, which makes the situation one of legal limbo.
Foreign Ministry officials confirmed they have engaged Eritrean diplomats extensively through the Cairo mission. Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath is expected to contact his Eritrean counterpart directly. Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry has been asked to pressure Caspian Marine Service B.V. to fulfill its obligations, providing legal and welfare support for the six men, along with a comprehensive report on what steps have been taken to safeguard their rights.
The case underscores a broader problem: Sri Lanka lacks a dedicated mechanism to deal with citizens detained abroad under controversial circumstances. The absence of such a system has left families vulnerable, forced to rely on ad hoc measures and slow-moving diplomatic channels.
For now, the six men remain in custody with no charges and no clear explanation from Eritrea. Their families wait in anguish, while officials continue to plead for their release. The episode has become a stark reminder of the risks Sri Lankan workers face overseas and the urgent need for stronger state mechanisms to protect them.
