Colombo: A ferry with the council of 20 people was reversed at Sri Lanka Timur on Tuesday, killing at least six students, the Navy said.
Six students sank while 17 others survived by swimming in Kinniya Kurunnankenni village when they traveled to go to school, the navy said.
At least 3 students again among 17 survivors.
The Navy said that he had started a special rescue mission to find missing people using the rescue team representing the fast action boat squadron (RABS), a special ship squadron (SBS), the Marines and Divers and operations were on looking for missing people, he said.
About 20 people were on the board at the time of the accident.
The ferry traveled from Kurichakesi to Kinniya City along the country’s east coast.
It operates due to the delay in the construction of new bridges built in the area, the residents said.
Angry villagers protested opposite the government secretariat there.
Naval search operations are being carried out to find people who are believed to be lost, added the navy.