The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs has thanked Puntland, the United States, the EU and all others who helped secure the release of oil tanker 'Aris 13' and its eight Sri Lankan crew. 

'The Ministry is pleased that the vessel ‘Aris 13’ that was hijacked by pirates was released late last night / early this morning, along with the eight Sri Lankan crew,' it said in a statement. 

'The crew members were released unharmed, without payment of a ransom.

The Ministry wishes to express its deep appreciation on behalf of the government of Sri Lanka, to the President of Puntland, the semi-autonomous region of Somalia, and his Chief-of-Staff Abdinasir Sofe who cooperated and collaborated with the relevant officials of the government of Sri Lanka in securing the release of the vessel and the crew.

The government of Sri Lanka also expresses its gratitude to the government of the United States of America, the Ambassador of the United States of America in Sri Lanka, the Combined Naval Force of Bahrain, the EU and all other governments, organisations and individuals who extended their assistance in this effort, as well as all local ministries, departments and individuals.'