Eight Sri Lankan nationals whose ship was hijacked by Somali pirates early this week, have been released safely without the payment of any ransom. Sri Lankan deputy foreign minister Harsha De Silva told media in Colombo that military pressure by combined maritime forces in the region along with some deft diplomacy facilitated the release. <br/><br/>He said Sri Lankan authorities were in touch with US naval forces and the shipping company for negotiations with the pirates. <br/><br/>The release came after a gunfight between the pirates and the marine force yesterday, followed by intensive negotiations. <br/><br/>Pirates were reported saying that they had agreed to forego a ransom after learning that a Somali businessmen had hired the ship which was taking oil from Djibouti to the Somali capital, Mogadishu. In previous hijackings, many crews remained in captivity for years before a ransom was paid. The hijacking was the first time Somali pirates have taken over a commercial ship in 2012.

Eight Sri Lankan nationals whose ship was hijacked by Somali pirates early this week, have been released safely without the payment of any ransom. Sri Lankan authorities confirmed the release saying the details will be shared later in the day. <br/><br/>The release came after a gunfight between the pirates and the marine force yesterday, followed by intensive negotiations. Pirates were reported saying that they had agreed to forego a ransom after learning that a Somali businessmen had hired the ship which was taking oil from Djibouti to the Somali capital, Mogadishu. <br/><br/>In previous hijackings, many crews remained in captivity for years before a ransom was paid. The hijacking was the first time Somali pirates have taken over a commercial ship in 2012.