16 September, 2018
A troop of naval personnel attached to SLNS Gotabhaya in the Eastern Naval Command rescued a whale shark (Rhincodontypus) that was stranded in the Alampil beach area in Mulaithivu and helped it to return to the deep waters.
On the information given by the Mulaithivu Fisheries Inspector Mohan Kumara to the Naval Detachment Alampil, the distressed shark was guided about three nautical miles into the sea by Naval personnel, with a strenuous attempt under the directives of the Commanding Officer.
This creature (also included in the Red List) is one of the largest species belonging to the shark family and weighs about 9,000 kg and is about 9m in length. Their lifetime is around 70-100 years.
