Navy’s successful high-seas bust nets over 133kg haul of heroin

As a key frontline stakeholder in the national mission, 'A Nation United,' the Navy continues to conduct maritime operations in the waters surrounding the island, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies. During a recent successful operation on the high seas south of Sri Lanka, the Navy intercepted a local multi-day fishing trawler (01) and apprehended five suspects (05) in connection with the smuggling of a stock of suspected drugs.

During a special inspection at the Dickowita fisheries harbour today (16 Mar26), the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) confirmed the presence of over one hundred and thirty-three (133) kilograms of heroin. The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), accompanied by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, was present in Dickowita to inspect the seized items.

Addressing the media, the Deputy Minister stated that the tri-forces, particularly the Navy, along with the Coast Guard, Police, and other law enforcement agencies, are executing the government's vision for national security. He noted that the recent naval operation in the southern seas, which seized a large consignment of narcotics and weapons, demonstrates the government's success in combating criminal networks involved in narcotics, arms and human trafficking.

He added that such successful outcomes result from the Navy's meticulous planning, surveillance, intelligence analysis, and inter-agency coordination. He affirmed that no leniency will be shown to drug trafficking networks, and conveyed admiration, on behalf of the Honorable President, for the distinctive contribution made by the Sri Lanka Navy, in collaboration with other stakeholders, towards ensuring public safety and protecting the younger generation from the menace of drugs.

Highlighting the scale of the Navy’s impact, he revealed that naval operations in 2025 seized narcotics valued over Rs. 75 billion, and operations so far in 2026 have seized over Rs. 20 billion worth of drugs.

The Deputy Minister warned that traffickers are increasingly using the guise of legitimate fishing activities to smuggle narcotics. Besides, he emphasized that the responsibility lies not only with law enforcement agencies but with all sectors of society to eradicate the networks associated with drug trafficking. He issued a firm directive to traffickers, dealers, and distributors to "quit," asserting that there is no loophole, whether by sea or air, that the security forces cannot close. He further urged drug users to abandon this destructive habit.

He announced plans for legal amendments to impose stricter penalties for drug offenses. Noting that law enforcement agencies have operational autonomy, he appealed to the public to report information on drug trafficking to hotlines 1818 and 1997. He also commended the media for their responsible reporting in educating the public on the drug menace.

The trawler, the suspects, the communication equipment and the stock of narcotics held in this operation were handed over to the PNB for onward investigation and legal proceedings.