The Navy managed to seize a haul of drug strain known to be Kerala cannabis, during a special operation carried out in the sea area about 22 nautical miles off Point Pedro on 11^th August 2020.

As an extension of its regular anti-drug operations being carried out in view of creating a drug-free society, the Navy rendered assistance for apprehension of 04 suspects with narcotic substances in Ambalantota, Palaitivu Island and Periyakarsal areas in the past few days.

Responding to request for assistance by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center (MRCC) Colombo, Sri Lanka Navy initiated swift action to reach out to several multi day fishing trawlers and their crew members in distress at sea, in the past couple of days.

As part of its anti-drug operations being carried out with a view to help eradicate the drug menace from the country, the Navy managed to apprehend 02 suspects along with narcotic substances and several contraband, from 30^th July to 03^rd August 2020.

Sri Lanka Navy, today 03^rd August 2020, rendered assistance to bring ashore a fisherman for treatment, as he suddenly fell ill at sea.

The Navy nabbed a suspect who was smuggling a stock of dried turmeric in the beach area of Oluthuduwai, Mannar on 28^th July 2020.

Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular operations for the prevention of illegal fishing practices which adversely impact legitimate commercial fishers as well as marine ecosystem. During similar search operations conducted in Trincomalee, Kinniya, Mullaitivu and Nilaveli sea areas on 25^th and 28^th July 2020, the Navy managed to nab 15 persons engaged in illegal fishing and seize fishing gear belonging to them.

Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular anti-drug operations in order to prevent smuggling of drugs in the country. During similar operations carried out in the North Central and in Eastern Naval Commands on 24^th July 2020, the Navy managed to apprehend 04 suspects for possession of illegal drugs which included more than 09kg of Kerala cannabis and other substances.

Sri Lanka Navy which conduct regular patrols to preserve the marine resources around the island, apprehended 27 persons who engaged in illegal fishing, along with banned nets and other fishing gear, during the search operations carried out in the Eastern Naval Command from 18^th to 23^rd July 2020.

The Navy yet again has rendered assistance to a distressed Kenyan flagged vessel which was in total power failure for days at high seas. The Navy responding to a distress alert received at Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center (MRCC) Colombo on 21^st July 2020 rendered towing assistance to the distressed vessel which was drifting about 170 nautical miles (about 306 km) south of Sri Lanka.