Navy arrests 22 local fishermen engaged in illegal fishing
 

Naval personnel attached to SLNS Vijaya located in Kalpitiya in the North Western Naval Command arrested 17 local fishermen who engaged in illegal fishing activities in the sea area between Udappuwa and Sinna Padu and seas off Uchamunia (28) yesterday. During the arrest, 5 dinghies, 3 monofilament nets, 14 oxygen cylinders, 3 pairs of diving fins and 7 diving masks were also taken into naval custody. The apprehended persons and belongings were handed over to Mannar Assistant Directorate of Fisheries for further investigations.

On the same day, a group of naval personnel attached to SLNS Therapuththa located in Silawathurai in the North Western Naval Command arrested another 5 local fishermen who engaged in illegal fishing practices using unauthorized nets in the seas off Silawathurai. During the arrest, a dinghy and a monofilament net were taken into naval custody. The apprehended persons and belongings were handed over to Mannar Fisheries Inspector for further investigations.