A successful operation led by Sri Lanka Navy in coordination with Sri Lanka Police and other intelligence services in international waters south of Sri Lanka, led to the seizure of a foreign fishing vessel carrying over 336kg (including the packages) of heroin worth over Rs.3100 million gross street value. The drug transferring vessel together with 07 foreign nationals aboard was brought this morning (04th September 2021) to Colombo harbour, where Defence Secretary, General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne and Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne were also present to inspect the apprehended haul of narcotics.

During operations conducted by the Navy in Eastern, Southeastern, Northwestern, Northern and North Central Naval Commands from 01st to 31st August 2021, ninety five (95) individuals have been apprehended, while they were engaging in illegal fishing practices. These operations also made way to seize 29 fishing boats and several other fishing accessories used for the illegal practices.

Sri Lanka Navy managed to seize a stock of smuggled dried turmeric weighing over 2023kg, during special operations conducted in the Negombo lagoon on 31st August 2021. The operations also led to the apprehension of 02 suspects and 02 dinghies involved in these smuggling attempts.

A special operation conducted by the Navy in the high seas in the afternoon of 30th August 2021, led to the seizure of a multi-day fishing vessel carrying about 290kg and 200g stock of heroin, attempted to be smuggled into the island by sea. The operation also made way to the apprehension of 05 suspects in connection to this smuggling attempt. Meanwhile, the fishing vessel with heroin and the suspects were brought ashore this morning (31st August).

A special operation carried out by Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Police made way to the seizure of about 183kg and 715g stock of Kerala cannabis at the Murungan Panniwettuwan roadblock in Mannar on 28th August 2021. The operation also led to the apprehension of 02 suspects involved in this illegal act and a lorry being used for the racket.

Special operations conducted by the Navy in Pichchanikulam area, Silawathura and on Ippanthivu Island in Kalpitiya this morning (27th August 2021) made way to the recovery of about 1599kg of dried turmeric hidden away by smugglers. The operations also led to the apprehension of 05 suspects and a cab in connection to one of the above incidents.

A special operation conducted by the Navy in Irukkulampiddi, Mannar on 25th August 2021, led to the seizure of about 9170kg of sea cucumber, stored in violation of licence condition, and apprehension of a suspect in connection to the incident.

The Navy managed to seize about 139kg and 930g stock of Kerala cannabis, during a special operation conducted in the seas off Manalkadu, Point Pedro in the wee hours today (26th August 2021). The operation also led to the apprehension of 02 suspects involved in this illegal act.

Special operations conducted by the Navy at the beach of Arippu in Mannar and lagoon area of Kalpitiya on 22nd, 23rd and 24th August 2021 led to the recovery of about 1377kg of dried turmeric attempted to be smuggled in.

A special operation conducted by the Navy in Jayanagar of Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee this afternoon (21st August 2021), led to the apprehension of 03 suspects with about 3kg and 548g of Kerala cannabis.