The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 13 persons for illegal harvesting of sea cucumber and 02 individuals for engaging in light course fishing, during separate search operations carried out off the Mandaitivu Island and in the sea area off Veththalakerni in Jaffna on the night of 22nd February and early hours of today (23rd February 2023). The operations also led to the seizure of fishing gear used for these illegal acts. Upon apprehension, the individuals and their fishing gear were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Jaffna for onward legal action.

The Navy apprehended 02 suspects with about 1000 foreign cigarettes made ready to sell illegally, during a special search operation carried out in Thavulpadu area in Mannar on 21st February 2023.