Navy seizes an Indian fishing boat poaching in Kalpitiya seas

During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 05 Aug 25, the Sri Lanka Navy seized 01 Indian fishing boat and apprehended 10 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off the Baththalangunduwa Island in Kalpitiya

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.

In continuation of these efforts, the Northwestern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the Northwestern and Western Naval Commands had been deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Baththalangunduwa. Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of 01 Indian fishing boat and apprehension of 10 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (10) will be handed over for onward legal proceedings.