The Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to bring ashore an ill fisherman whose life was at risk while aboard a local multi day fishing trawler in southern waters of Sri Lanka. The fisherman was retrieved by a Merchant Vessel in the sea area, on being coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo. After being brought ashore on 27th April 2024, he was rushed to the General Hospital, Colombo for medical attention.

The Navy nabbed 09 persons, along with 04 dinghies, unauthorized nets and fishing gear, for engaging in illegal fishing activities, during a search operation conducted in the sea area off Chalei, Jaffna on 24th April 2024. The individuals involved were caught by the Navy, whilst they were engaging in fishing with unauthorized nets and participating in light course fishing.

The Navy took hold of over 10kg of Kerala cannabis, during a search operation conducted with the Division Crime Investigation Bureau Mannar in the Vankalai area, Mannar on 21st April 2024. The operation also led to the apprehension of 4 suspects and 1 van in connection to this incident.

In a display of swift response, the Sri Lanka Navy today (20th April 2024) stepped in to provide crucial assistance in transferring a foreign national who was injured while aboard the Merchant Vessel MARIMAN off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The evacuation operation of the injured mariner was coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, when requested by the Merchant Vessel. The patient was rushed for immediate medical attention, upon being brought him to the port of Hambantota by the Navy.

The Navy nabbed 17 persons, along with 07 dinghies, for engaging in illegal fishing activities, during separate operations conducted in the sea areas of Kaddaikadu in Kilinochchi, Upparu in Muthur as well as the Nayaru Lagoon and Pudumathalan sea area in Mullaitivu on 17th and 18th April 2024. The individuals involved were caught by the Navy, whilst they were engaging in night diving, using unauthorized nets for fishing, and participating in light coarse fishing.

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 12 persons for engaging in illegal fishing, during separate operations conducted in the sea areas of Round Island, Trincomalee and Kaddaikadu, Kilinochchi on 17th April 2024. The individuals involved in light coarse fishing and fishing with unauthorized nets when the apprehensions were made. The operations also led to the seizure of 02 dinghies used for these illegal acts.

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 09 persons for their involvement in illegal fishing using unauthorized fishing nets and without valid license, during a search operation conducted in the sea area of Elephant Island, Trincomalee on 15th April 2024. The operation also led to the seizure of 02 dinghies used for these illegal activities.

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 14 persons for their involvement in illegal fishing using unauthorized fishing nets, during a search operation conducted in the sea area of Round Island, Trincomalee on 14th April 2024. The operation also led to the apprehension of 04 dinghies along with unauthorized fishing nets.

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 08 persons for their involvement in illegal fishing using unauthorized fishing nets, during a search operation conducted in Upparu sea area of Muthur on 14th April 2024. A dinghy (01) and unauthorized fishing equipment used for this illegal act were also taken into the naval custody, during this operation.

In another successful intelligence operation of the Sri Lanka Navy, a local multi-day fishing trawler (01) carrying a large haul of narcotics, with 06 suspects aboard, were intercepted about 133 nautical miles (about 246 km) off Dondra, south of Sri Lanka. The operation also resulted in the seizure of another local one-day fishing trawler (01) with 04 suspects, believed to have been there to fetch the consignment of narcotics mid-sea. The operation was mounted by deploying Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship (SLCG) Samudraraksha which made the apprehension on 12th April 2024. The haul of narcotics included about 179kg and 906g of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and about 83kg and 582g of heroin (with their packages). The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera arrived at the Galle Harbour on 13th April to inspect the consignment of narcotics held in this operation.