A special operation conducted by the Navy in the seas north of Kovilam, Jaffna this morning (06th July 2021) led to the seizure of about 98kg and 500g of Kerala cannabis and apprehension of 03 suspects along with a dinghy.

During special operations conducted in Eastern, Southeastern, Northwestern, Northern and North Central Naval Commands in past 03 months commencing from 01st April to 30th June 2021, Sri Lanka Navy managed to apprehend 442 individuals, along with 153 fishing boats and other fishing accessories, while engaging in illegal fishing practices.

Sri Lanka Navy managed to seize about 2021kg and 400g of dried turmeric attempted to be smuggled into the country, during special operations conducted in the beach areas of Achchanakulam, Naruvilikkulam and South Bar on 29th and 30th June and 01st July 2021. The operation also made way to apprehend 06 suspects, 02 dinghies, 01 van and 01 three-wheeler in connection to these dried turmeric rackets.

As soon as one pictures of a military man, he is reminded of a personality with very stiff mannerism, but they are, in fact, not so. Rear Admiral Anura Danapala, who relinquished naval duties to which he was committed over the past 33 years, was an officer who showed enormous care for flora and fauna. The following are two incidents that took place during his tenure as Deputy Area Commander (DAC) of the Eastern Naval Command and the former DAC played a praiseworthy role marshalling his men for the rescue of helpless animals in a stressful state as a result of inevitable peril from predators in their own environment.

Navy took hold of about 174kg and 50g of Kerala cannabis and 05 kg of dried turmeric along with a dinghy and 02 suspects, during a special operation conducted in seas off Thondamanaru, Jaffna in the dark hours on 20th June 2021.

Sri Lanka Navy seized over 23kg of Kerala cannabis floating in the seas off Mukku Thoduwawa, Chilaw, during a search operation conducted in the aforesaid sea area today (20^th June 2021).

Special search operations conducted by the Navy in the seas off Karukupane in Chilaw and Madagal in Jaffna on 18th and 19th June 2021 led to the seizure of about 377kg and 800g of Kerala cannabis. Accordingly, in the past 05 days alone, naval operations managed to seize heroin and Kerala cannabis worth over Rs.02 billion.

Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard managed to find 03 deserted Indian fishing vessels, believed to have drifted away due to strong winds prevailed over the past couple of weeks, in the Northwestern coast and Southern waters on 17^th June 2021.

The Navy, along with other stakeholders, is continuing the beach cleaning efforts, which began on 26^th May 2021, to remove debris from the coastal areas affected by the MV X-PRESS PEARL fire.

A Special search operation conducted by the Navy in the beach area of Karampan, Kayts on 17^th June 2021 led to the seizure of about 130kg and 760g of Kerala cannabis, a dinghy and apprehension of 02 suspects.