A man from Feeali island of Faafu atoll, reported missing in Dehiwala of Sri Lanka on Wednesday, has been found.

67-year-old Mohamed Ali left his home on Quarry Road, Dehiwala, for the mosque on Wednesday at around 10:45 am.

His family said Ali had lost his way home, and was unable to ask for directions, owing to an expected language barrier.

Ali was fortunate to have met a man who knew some Dhivehi, that gave him directions home. Ali reached Quarry Road almost 12 hours later, at around 10:00 pm on Wednesday.

“He kept walking and walking, asking for directions before he met someone who knew how to speak a little Dhivehi” the family said.

While his family has taken up residence in Sri Lanka, Ali is flown there roughly every two months.