Seven (7) apprehended with illegally harvested sea cucumbers

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended seven (7) suspects and seized 1,400 sea cucumbers along with 3 boats during separate search operations conducted in Mannar and Jaffna on 16 and 17 September 2026.

Naval personnel attached to SLNS Buwaneka in the North Central Naval Command intercepted a boat (1) in the Yahappar area of Nachchikuda on 16 September. Accordingly, naval personnel nabbed 3 suspects after discovering 550 sea cucumbers being transferred without valid permits.

In a separate operation carried out this morning, 17 September, naval personnel from Naval Deployment Veththalakerni, belonging to the Northern Naval Command, apprehended 4 suspects in the Kudarippu beach area. The suspects had been illegally harvesting sea cucumbers during unauthorized night diving operations. The Navy also seized 2 boats and 850 sea cucumbers in this operation.

The suspects, aged between 29 and 46, were identified as residents of Mannar and Jaffna. The Navy handed over the suspects, the boats, and the seized sea cucumber consignments to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources offices in Kilinochchi and Jaffna for further legal proceedings.