UN AGENCY AWAITING ACCESS TO BOAT PEOPLE RESCUED OFF SRI LANKAN COAST

UN AGENCY AWAITING ACCESS TO BOAT PEOPLE RESCUED OFF SRI LANKAN COAST New York, Mar 4 2008 11:00AM The United Nations refugee agency has lauded the Sri Lankan Government for rescuing 71 boat people who had been adrift at sea for nearly two weeks, and said it is now awaiting access to the survivors of the perilous voyage.

The group of 50 Myanmar nationals and 21 Bangladeshis had been adrift since 20 February after their boat encountered engine failure, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson Ron Redmond <"http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/47cd360411.html">told reporters in Geneva.

"Twenty of those on board, including 17 Myanmar nationals and three Bangladeshis, reportedly died due to starvation and dehydration," he said.

The boat was found adrift in high seas off Sri Lanka's northern district of Mullaitivu. All of the victims are now receiving medical care at the naval base in eastern Trincomalee harbour.

Mr. Redmond commended the Government for allowing the survivors to disembark and providing them with assistance, noting that "aiding those in peril at sea is one of the oldest of maritime obligations."

The agency is in close contact with Sri Lankan officials and is awaiting unhindered access to the survivors, once they are moved out of the restricted military zone where the naval base is situated and to a police- and civilian-administered area.
2008-03-04 00:00:00.000

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