A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the Mohoththuwaram sea area, Kalpitiya on 23 Feb 26 resulted in the seizure of a large stock (685kg) of dried sea cucumbers being illegally transported by sea. The operation also led to the apprehension of a suspect (01) and a dinghy (01) used for this illegal act.

The Sri Lanka Navy swiftly responded to bring ashore an ill fisherman and transfer him to hospital, for urgent medical attention this morning (24 Feb 26). The fisherman was aboard a local multiday fishing trawler on the high seas off the south coast and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo coordinated the retrieval of the fisherman.

In a coordinated effort on 21 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy and the Coast Guard conducted separate search operations in the sea areas off Chilaw and Thoduwawa, leading to a significant seizure of smuggled items and the apprehension of 02 suspects and a dinghy (01). Among the seized items were; over 992kg of Kendu leaves, 140,000 foreign cigarettes and pesticide.

During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 22 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized 01 Indian fishing boat and apprehended 12 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, in the sea area south of Mannar.