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Sri Lanka opens inquiry into deaths of fishermen during monsoon

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, June 10 (UPI) -- The president of Sri Lanka on Monday ordered an investigation into the lack of warning about severe storms that resulted in the deaths of dozens of fishermen.

At least 42 fishermen are believed to have died after monsoon storms with winds up 50 mph slammed the southern coast of the island Saturday, capsizing fishing boats, the Colombo Page reported.

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Another 29 fishermen were injured when they were tossed out of their boats, a spokesman for the Disaster Management Center said. Some 30 fishermen are still missing.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a statement he had asked Lalith Weeratunga, the secretary to the president, to appoint a committee of inquiry to determine why people were not informed of the incoming storm that has brought the country's weather service and emergency management agency under a great deal of criticism from the public and media.

The Sri Lankan navy and air force rescued about 15 people in a joint operation after the disaster.

The head of the fisheries ministry said the victim's families would receive about $1,700 in compensation as well as other necessary items.

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