In a display of swift response, the Sri Lanka Navy today (28th May 2023) stepped in to provide crucial assistance in transferring a foreign national who fell ill in the eastern waters, off the Foul Point, Trincomalee. The ill person who was aboard NERU XINRUI – an Indian Cargo Ship was rushed for medical attention, upon being brought to Trincomalee.

The Sri Lanka Navy today (26th May 2023) brought ashore an ill fisherman who had fallen ill while aboard a multiday fishing trawler. The rescue operation took place approximately 460 nautical miles (about 851km) off the coast of Galle, in the southwestern region of Sri Lanka.

A special operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the wee hours of 25th May 2023 led to the apprehension of 08 persons for engaging in light-coarse fishing and fishing using unauthorized nets in the sea area of Arisimalai, Pulmoddai. During this operation the Navy also took hold of unauthorized fishing gear and 02 dinghies used for these illegal acts.

In a decisive move to combat illegal fishing activities, the Navy apprehended 06 persons who were found engaging in light-coarse fishing off Chundikulam and Chalai, Jaffna in the wee hours of today (24th May 2023). The search operations also led to the seizure of 06 dinghies and unauthorized fishing gear used by the suspects.

The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) embarked on a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation to assist the ongoing operations at the overturned Chinese fishing vessel LU PENG YUAN YU 028, which was reported on 16th May 2023 in Australian Search and Rescue Region, south of Sri Lanka. At the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Sri Lanka Navy's Offshore Patrol Vessel, SLNS Vijayabahu with a team of Navy divers was directed to engage in this crucial mission.

Special operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the wee hours of 22nd May 2023 led to the apprehension of 16 persons for engaging in light-coarse fishing, fishing without valid licence and fishing using unauthorized nets, in the sea areas of Nayaru and Alampil as well as sea and lagoon areas of Kokilai in Pulmudei. During these operations the Navy also took hold of unauthorized fishing gear and 07 dinghies used for these illegal acts.

The Sri Lanka Navy, renowned for their expertise in disaster response, was called upon once again to clear a logjam under the Wakwella Bridge, on 19th and 22nd May 2023. The logjam consisted of garbage and debris washed away by heavy rains, obstructing the natural flow of the Gin Ganga at the Wakwella Bridge.

The Navy and Police nabbed a woman with 54 Water Gel sticks - a type of commercial explosive and 50 non-electric detonators, during a special search operation conducted in Kasimnagar of Kuchchaweli, Trincomalee today (22nd May 2023). The apprehension was made after searching a suspicious house where the explosive items had been hidden.

The Navy apprehended 02 persons for slaughtering sea turtles, during a search operation conducted in Arippu of Silawathura in Mannar today (22nd May 2023). Along with the suspects, the Navy also found 02 live sea turtles and some turtle flesh in their possession.

A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police in Roddapadu beach area, Kalpitiya on 19th May 2023, led to the apprehension of 02 suspects with about 603kg of dried sea cucumber and 11520 shampoo packets (6ml each) hidden in a house.