The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended a group of individuals (03) engaged in illegal night diving for unauthorized harvesting of sea cucumbers, during a search operation conducted in the Palakamunai sea area of Mannar, on 20 Mar 26.

In an attempt to safeguard the country’s marine resources and ensure sustainable fishing practices, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a series of operations across the island's waters from 03 to 18 Mar 26. These efforts resulted in the apprehension of fifty-three (53) individuals engaged in various illegal fishing activities. During the raids, naval personnel also seized thirteen (13) dinghies and four (4) tractors used for these unlawful purposes.

The Sri Lanka Navy seized a significant quantity of smuggled goods, including over 1,002kg of Kendu leaves (in wet weight) and approximately 116kg of Cardamom, during a search operation conducted at the Mampuri beach area in Puttalam on 15 Mar 26. The operation also led to the apprehension of 02 suspects and the seizure of a dinghy (01) used for the illegal transfer.

The Sri Lanka Navy seized a consignment of over 1,273kg of Kendu leaves during a search operation conducted in the seas off Chilaw on 15 Mar 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 03 suspects and seized a haul of approximately 2,000 sea cucumbers during a search operation conducted in the Pallikuda area of Kilinochchi on 12 Mar 26.

In a decisive blow to drug trafficking, the Sri Lanka Navy intercepted a local multi-day fishing trawler (01) carrying a stock of suspected narcotics during an operation conducted in the western seas off Beruwala. This operation, carried out under the national mission “A Nation United”, resulted in the apprehension of six suspects (06) and the seizure of the trawler used to smuggle the illicit substance.

The Sri Lanka Navy recovered a haul of foreign-origin cannabis weighing approximately 78kg and 300g during a search operation conducted in the seas off Devil’s Point, Kilinochchi on 13 Mar 26.

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 an operation conducted in the dark hours of 11 Mar 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized 01 Indian fishing boat and apprehended 02 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, in the sea area North of Mannar.

The Navy seized a massive haul of smuggled dried cashew nuts (approx. 1840kg) during a search operation conducted in the Alankuda and Bangalawatta beach areas of Kalpitiya on 10 Mar 26.