Twenty eight (28) persons apprehended for engaging in illegal activities
 

Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 28 persons engaged in illegal acts at several locations in the island during the past few days. These suspects were held for engaging in illegal fishing.

Accordingly, a naval troop attached to the North Western Naval Command apprehended 2 persons engaged in illegal fishing during a raid carried out in Wellanmundalam and Kolomkanaththa sea areas , on 9th May. 10 Kg of Turtle flesh and 10 Kg of caught fish were also taken into naval custody. The suspects, nabbed stock of fish and other gears were handed over to Wildlife Officer of North Western province for onward legal action.

Accordingly, a naval troop attached to the North Western Naval Command apprehended 2 persons engaged in illegal fishing during a raid carried out in Wellanmundalam and Kolomkanaththa sea areas , on 9th May. 10 Kg of Turtle flesh and 10 Kg of caught fish were also taken into naval custody. The suspects, nabbed stock of fish and other gears were handed over to Wildlife Officer of North Western province for onward legal action.

Based on information received by the Navy, naval personnel attached to the South Eastern Naval Command in coordination with the officials of the Directorate of Fisheries in Kalmune apprehended four persons (4) engaged in illegal fishing activities in a raid carried out in Kalmune area on 9th May. The suspects along with the nabbed diving equipment and 4 lobsters were handed over to the Director of Fisheries-Kalmune for legal proceedings.

Naval troops on routine patrol onboard a Fast Attack Craft attached to the Eastern Naval command held five (05) persons who practised illegal fishing in the seas off Welvetithurai on 11th May. Diving gears, 40 Kg of sea cucumber which had been caught illegally were also taken into naval custody. The apprehended persons, dinghies, diving gears and the stock of sea cucumber were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of PPD for legal action.

Further, two persons who engaged in fishing activities without a permit around Norway Island were held by naval personnel attached to a IPV in Eastern Naval Command. The suspects, the caught fish and fishing gears were handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries-Trincomalee for onward action.