Over 100 Myanmar Rohingya refugees rescued in Sri Lankan waters

COLOMBO, Dec 19 (Reuters): Sri Lanka's navy has rescued 104 Myanmar Rohingya adrift off the Indian Ocean island's northern coast, an official said on Monday, as members of the Muslim minority continue to escape violence in Myanmar and hardship in Bangladesh refugee camps.

Many Rohingya risk their lives every year by attempting to reach Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia on rickety vessels, and their numbers have surged following deteriorating conditions in the camps and last year's military coup in Myanmar.