Navy seizes 02 Indian fishing boats poaching in Baththalangunduwa and north of Mannar seas

During operations conducted on 28 Jul 25, the Sri Lanka Navy seized 02 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 14 Indian fishermen, while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters of Baththalangunduwa and north of Mannar.

Taking into account the harmful impacts of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen, the Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing boats trespassing into island waters.

As an extension of these operations, the Northwestern and North Central Naval Commands spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters in the dark hours of 28 Jul. In response, both Naval Commands had deployed its Inshore Patrol Craft to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters of Baththalangunduwa and north of Mannar. Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of 02 Indian fishing boats and apprehension of 14 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

The seized boats (02) and Indian fishermen (14) were brought to Kalpitiya and Talaimannar Pier and they were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries, Mannar and Puttalam for onward legal proceedings.