The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of a massive consignment of smuggled Kendu leaves (over 2000kg) during a search operation conducted in the seas off Chilaw on 28 Apr 26. The operation also led to the interception of an Indian dhow with 04 Indian nationals as well as 03 local dinghies with 06 suspects in connection to this racket.

In a coordinated effort to dismantle smuggling networks, the Sri Lanka Navy, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) and the Puttalam Divisional Crime Detective Bureau, arrested a suspect (01) with a 994kg haul of smuggled dried turmeric on 29 Apr 26, in the Rathmalwatta area of Puttalam.

Taking action against illegal fishing practices, the Sri Lanka Navy launched a search operation in the coastal area of Kudairippu, Jaffna, on 27 Apr 26. The operation netted 03 individuals engaged in night diving without the valid permits to harvest sea cucumbers.

The Sri Lanka Navy underscored its dedication to maritime safety and humanitarian assistance by swiftly evacuating an injured fisherman and facilitating emergency transfer to medical care on 26 Apr 26. The fisherman was aboard a local multiday fishing trawler off the east coast and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo coordinated the retrieval of the fisherman.

In another strike against smuggling, the Sri Lanka Navy seized a significant haul of over 550kg of Kendu leaves during a search operation conducted in the Negombo Lagoon on 22 Apr 26. The operation also led to the apprehension of 02 suspects and the dinghy (01) used to smuggle the illegal consignment.

In a coastal search operation in the Thillayadi beach area of Kalpitiya, the Sri Lanka Navy recovered a massive consignment of smuggled dried turmeric weighing about 1,038kg, on 22 Apr 26.

Based on intelligence information, the Sri Lanka Navy recovered a massive haul of over 1,300kg of smuggled Kendu leaves during a search operation conducted in the Kudawa area of Kalpitiya on 18 Apr 26.

In an effort to safeguard the nation’s marine resources, the Sri Lanka Navy, in collaboration with the Coast Guard and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, conducted a series of coordinated operations across island waters from 01 to 15 Apr 26.

Being a key frontline stakeholder in the national mission, 'A Nation United,' the Navy continues to maintain a vigilant maritime shield to eradicate the drug menace from society. During yet another successful operation on the high seas south of Sri Lanka, the Navy intercepted a local multi-day fishing trawler (01) and apprehended four suspects (04) in connection with the smuggling of a stock of suspected narcotics.

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 03 suspects along with over 26kg of turtle flesh during a search operation conducted in the Vankalai beach area of Mannar on 14 Apr 26.