Navy apprehends a suspect with commercial explosives in Mannar

A special search operation carried out by the Navy with Police in the Pallemunai area, Mannar this morning (21st February 2024) led to the arrest of a person with 650 water gel sticks – a type of commercial explosive. The arrest was made while the suspect was carrying them in a bus.

The use of explosives for fishing poses a serious threat to marine life and can cause long-lasting damage to the marine ecosystems. Thus, the Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular operations to crack down on fishing using explosives.

In a similar operation, SLNS Gajaba in the North Central Naval Command conducted this coordinated operation in the Pallemunai area with the assistance of Divisional Crime Detective Bureau – Mannar. During a search of a public transport bus, the raiding party apprehended the suspect who was found to be in possession of 650 water gel sticks.

It is suspected that the explosive items have been carried with the intention of using them for illegal fishing activities. The suspect is a resident of Mundal in Mannar, aged 43. The individual along with the explosive items was handed over to the Mannar Police for onward legal action.