In a coordinated effort to curb the illegal distribution of controlled substances, the Sri Lanka Navy, with the Police Special Task Force (STF), arrested a suspect (01) in the Samanthurai area of Ampara, in possession of approximately 200 prescription pills intended for illegal sale, on 04 Mar 26.

Answering the call of the national mission 'A Nation United,' the Navy has tightened its grip on the island's maritime boundaries. Striking deep in the southern waters, a successful naval mission resulted in the seizure of a local fishing trawler (01) and six (06) suspects, foiling a major drug smuggling attempt.

In a search operation conducted off the coast of Marawila on 03 Mar 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized a substantial consignment of over 953kg of Kendu leaves intended to smuggle in.

In a combined operation conducted on 04 Mar 26, the Sri Lanka Navy and the Kayts Police seized a consignment of foreign-origin cannabis weighing approximately 368kg at the Suruvil beach area of Kayts Island, Jaffna. The operation also led to the arrest of a suspect (01) and a dinghy (01).

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 04 individuals along with a haul of 437 sea cucumbers during a search operation conducted in the sea off South Bar, Mannar, on the morning of 04 Mar 26. The search operation also led to the seizure of a dinghy used for this illegal act.

In separate operations conducted by the Navy from 16 to 28 Feb 26, nineteen (19) individuals involved in various illegal fishing activities were apprehended along with 02 dinghies, 03 canoes and 07 traditional boats in multiple locations across the island.

During a search operation carried out on 26 Feb 26 in the sea area of Pitipana, Negombo, the Sri Lanka Navy seized approx. 360kg of smuggled Kendu leaves.

The Sri Lanka Navy seized a large consignment of over 882kg of Kendu leaves and a cab during separate search operations conducted in the Anawasala and Mohoththuwaram areas of Kalpitiya on 25 Feb 26

A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the Mohoththuwaram sea area, Kalpitiya on 23 Feb 26 resulted in the seizure of a large stock (685kg) of dried sea cucumbers being illegally transported by sea. The operation also led to the apprehension of a suspect (01) and a dinghy (01) used for this illegal act.

The Sri Lanka Navy swiftly responded to bring ashore an ill fisherman and transfer him to hospital, for urgent medical attention this morning (24 Feb 26). The fisherman was aboard a local multiday fishing trawler on the high seas off the south coast and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo coordinated the retrieval of the fisherman.