The Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre diverted three merchant vessels to help the crew, comprising 12 Russians and 14 Filipinos, of 'Mol Comfort', a container ship which sank after its hull broke into two.
The crew had abandoned the vessel in life rafts and were rescued from choppy waters by a ship, 'Yantian Express', which was diverted by the Coast Guard.
The crew has been sent to Colombo, a statement by the Coast Guard said.