Navy apprehends 3 suspects for unlawful mangrove destruction in Mannar

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 3 individuals and seized a dinghy (1) for destroying mangrove vegetation in the Vankalai coastal area of Mannar today, 11 November 2026.

Naval personnel attached to SLNS Pussadewa in the North Central Naval Command detected the suspects while conducting a search operation in Vankalai. The men were nabbed while preparing to transport a stock of illegally cut mangrove branches.

The Navy maintains continuous surveillance over sensitive coastal habitats to preserve marine biodiversity and prevent environmental degradation within protected ecosystems.

The suspects, along with the seized dinghy and mangrove wood, were handed over to the Department of Forest Conservation for further legal proceedings.