The Navy apprehended 09 persons for illegal harvesting of sea cucumber during a special operation conducted off Achchankulam, Mannar in the wee hours of today (05^th January 2023). The operation also led to the seizure of diving gear, 01 dinghy and 168 illegally harvested sea cucumbers.

A naval person managed to rescue a man who was at the risk of drowning in the sea area of Kudawa in Kalpitiya on 30th December 2022. The sailor who is attached to SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command came to the rescue, as he was on duty at a nearby roadblock.

A special search operation carried out by the Navy in Duwa area, Negombo on 30th December 2022 led to the seizure of a lorry transferring over 1797kg of smuggled Kendu Leaves and apprehension of a suspect involved in the illegal act.

Sri Lanka Navy took hold of a smuggled consignment of Kendu leaves weighing about 150 kg (wet weight), during a patrol carried out in Lunuwila sea area of Kalpitiya on 28th December 2022. The consignment was adrift in the sea area when it was spotted by the Navy.

A search operation conducted by the Navy in Udayapuram Beach area in Jaffna led to the recovery of an explosive cache this morning (22^nd December 2022). Among the recovered items were 22 Water Gel Sticks - a type of commercial explosive and 07 detonators.

Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters this morning (21^st December 2022). The operation has led to the seizure of an Indian trawler (01) with 12 Indian nationals poaching in Sri Lankan waters northeast of Veththalakerni.

Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to rescue 104 distressed Myanmar nationals aboard a passenger craft in Sri Lanka’s waters about 3.5 nautical miles north of Veththalakerni this morning (18th December 2022). The distressed craft is reported to have trespassed into island’s territorial waters last night (17th December), following a mechanical failure while it was carrying these people from Myanmar to Indonesia.

A special operation conducted by the Navy in coordination with the State Intelligence Service and Police Narcotic Bureau in the seas about 229 nautical miles (424km) off Dondra led to the interception of 02 local fishing trawlers and apprehension of a large consignment of narcotic drugs with 08 suspects on 14th December 2022. The haul of illegal drugs included over 128kg and 327g of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and 106kg and 474g of heroin (with their packages). In the same vein, SLNS Samudura also held another local fishing trawler with 06 suspects arrived to replenish fuel to the drug-carrying trawler. The consignment of drugs and the suspects were brought to the Colombo Harbour by the Navy this morning (18th December). Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera also arrived at the Colombo Harbour to inspect the consignment.

Sri Lanka Navy intercepted a dinghy which was carrying Kerala Cannabis weighing over 181kg (wet weight), during a special operation conducted in the sea area off Guru Nagar, Jaffna in the wee hours of today (15th December 2022). The operation also led to the apprehension of a suspect (01) in connection to the incident.

In a dedicated search and rescue operation mounted on 13th December 2022, Sri Lanka Navy rescued 03 fishermen from a distressed trawler in southern waters. The rescuees were brought ashore and admitted to the District General Hospital, Hambantota. Reportedly, their fishing trawler had capsized about 180 nautical miles (333km) off Dondra Point, following adverse weather.