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.