Two arrested in Kalpitiya over illegal possession of undersized conch shells

Two individuals were arrested in a joint operation by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police in Kalpitiya on 30 July 2026 for allegedly possessing a large quantity of undersized conch shells in violation of fisheries regulations.

The operation was carried out in the Wannimundalam area of Kalpitiya following information received by SLNS Vijaya of the Northwestern Naval Command. Acting on the information, naval personnel and personnel from the Kalpitiya Police searched two suspected houses in the area.

During the searches, they recovered 46 sacks containing conch shells that were below the legally permitted minimum shell diameter of 70mm.

The suspects, aged 35 and 54, are residents of Kalpitiya. They, along with the seized consignment of conch shells, were handed over to the Kalpitiya Police for further legal proceedings.