Cargo vessel, ‘MV Talca’ which was hijacked along with its multinational crew including twenty Sri Lankan nationals, by Somali pirates off the Oman coast on 23rd March 2010 was released on 11th May 2010 after lengthy negotiations and the payment of a ransom.<br/><br/>A press statement by the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said that the Sri Lankan crew members are in good health. Government here has instructed the Sri Lanka Embassy in Oman to render all necessary assistance to the Sri Lankan crew members once they arrive in Oman and facilitate their repatriation.<br/><br/>The ship, which is registered in Hamilton, Bermuda and owned by Arabian Reefers Ltd in the British Virgin Islands, had been held for nearly two months in Somali waters. The ship is currently proceeding towards Salalah, in Oman.