Navy nabs 55 persons over illegal fishing and smuggling

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 50 persons for engaging in illegal fishing during operations conducted in coastal areas between 2 and 17 October 2026. The operations also resulted in the seizure of 33 dinghies and 1canoe. Additionally, a separate naval operation led to the apprehension of 5 suspects and a multi day fishing trawler, suspected of smuggling narcotics.

The operations were carried out by the Eastern, Northern and Northwestern Naval Commands across coastal and beach areas, including Foul Point, Lankapatuna, Nayaru, Thuduwa, Kadiraweli, Marble Beach, Irakkandi and Puthumathalan in Trincomalee; Chundikulam, Kaddaikadu, Veththalakerni and Kovilan in Jaffna and Mohoththuwaram and Kallaru in the Puttalam area.

The individuals, fishing boats and unauthorised fishing gear seized during the operations were handed over to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources officials in Trincomalee, Mullaitivu, Muthur, Kuchchaveli, Vakarai, Cod Bay, Jaffna, Mailadi and Puttalam for further legal action.

Meanwhile, the 5 suspects along the the multi day fishing trawler seized in southern seas on 13 October, on suspicion of smuggling narcotics, were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for onward legal action.