The Navy apprehended 08 persons for illegal harvesting of sea cucumber in the sea areas of Silawathura and Vankalai of Mannar, during separate operations carried out in the early hours of 13th March 2023. The special operations also led to seize 814 illegally harvested sea cucumbers, diving gear and 02 dinghies.

The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of a Freezer Truck loaded with over 1128kg of smuggled Kendu leaves, during a special search operation conducted in Mukkuthoduwawa beach area, Puttalam in the dark hours of 13th March 2023. The operation also led to the apprehension of a suspect in connection to the incident. The apprehended suspect, along with the Freezer Truck loaded with Kendu leaves, was handed over to the Customs Preventive Office – Katunayake for onward legal action.

The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters this morning (12th March 2023). The operation led to the seizure of 02 Indian trawlers with 16 Indian nationals poaching in Sri Lankan waters northeast of Veththalakeni and off the Analativu Island.

The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of a multiday fishing trawler, suspected of involvement in human smuggling, in the wee hours of 12th March 2023. The apprehension was made in the eastern seas off Nilaveli, Trincomalee and the Navy also nabbed 03 suspects aboard in this operation.

A foot patrol conducted by the Navy in the beach area of Madagal in Jaffna led to the seizure of over 126kg of Kerala cannabis on the night of 10th March 2023.

The Sri Lanka Navy rendered towing assistance to a distressed local multiday fishing trawler in eastern seas and guided it safely to the Cod Bay Fisheries Harbour today (10th March 2023). In coordination with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo established at the Navy Headquarters, this SAR operation was mounted to rescue 06 fishermen on the fishing trawler which was in distress, due to a mechanical failure, about 54 nautical miles (about 100km) off the eastern coast.

A combined search operation conducted by the Navy and Police at the Old Pier area of Talaimannar on 09th March 2023 led to the apprehension of 03 suspects in possession of over 03 kg (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis.

The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of a smuggled consignment of Kendu leaves weighing about 400kg (wet weight), during a special operation carried out in the sea area of Alankuda in Norochcholai, Kalpitiya on the morning of 07th March 2023. The consignment was adrift in the sea area when it was spotted by the Navy.

The Navy seized two (02) dinghies with a consignment of contraband goods believed to have smuggled by sea, during a special search operation conducted in the beach area of Mohoththuwaram, Kalpitiya on the evening of 03rd March 2023.

The Navy in coordination with the Police apprehended a person with over 10kg of Kerala cannabis, during a combined operation carried out in Pallemunai, Mannar on the evening of 03rd March 2023.