Navy arrests 18 local fishermen engaged in illegal fishing

Naval personnel arrested 18 local fishermen engaged in illegal fishing in two separate incidents on 9^th March 2016. Three persons were arrested by naval personnel attached to SLNS Barana, along with a dinghy and banned fishing net while engaged in illegal fishing between Kolankanaththa and Wellamundalam area.

On the same day another 15 local fishermen were apprehended by the naval personnel attached to SLNS Vijaya in Kalpitiya, while fishing illegally in the seas off Baththalangunduwa, using banned fishing net. Along with the suspects, five boats, 4 fishing nets (Surukku), 5 GPS units were taken into custody. Arrested persons along with the items were produced to the Assistant Director of Fisheries (Puttalam) for onward investigations.