Somali pirates kill two Sri Lankan fishermen

COLOMBO - Two Sri Lankan fishermen were killed and three taken hostage by Somali pirates after their vessel went adrift, the ministry of fisheries said Monday.

The fishermen clashed with the pirates Jan 27, about two weeks after leaving port to fish off the south coast of Sri Lanka, according to information received by the ministry.

A ministry spokesman said the men’s family members had been informed, and diplomatic efforts were under way to trace the hostages.