The Navy apprehended 03 suspects for their involvement in fishing using explosives, during a search operation conducted in the sea area of Oluthuduwai, Mannar on 06th January 2025. The operation also led to the seizure of a stock of illegally caught fish and a dinghy.

The Navy's operations in 2024 yielded impressive results, bringing to justice 407 persons, both local and foreign, involved in a wide array of illegal acts such as smuggling of narcotics, prescription drugs, and contraband as well as apprehending those involved in human smuggling. These operations were conducted in close coordination with law enforcement agencies and maritime partners in the region. Meanwhile, the gross street value of narcotics and prescription drugs seized in these operations has been valued at over Rs. 28158 million of street value.

A special search operation conducted by the Navy in the sea area off the Baththalangunduwa Island, Kalpitiya on 04th January 2025, led to the interception of a dinghy with 03 suspects who were smuggling about 11kg and 300g of gold.

A special search operation conducted by the Navy off Kayakkuli, Silawathura on 25th December 2024 led to the apprehension of 6 suspects who were illegally harvesting sea cucumbers. The operation resulted in the seizure of 1205 sea cucumbers and 2 dinghies.

The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard seized 02 Indian fishing boats and apprehend 17 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, during a special operation conducted in the sea area north of Mannar in the dark hours of 23rd December 2024.

The Sri Lanka Navy, during a patrol conducted on 21st December 2024, took hold of a smuggled consignment of Kendu leaves and foreign cigarettes which were adrift off the Kudiramalei Point. The consignment included about 2129kg (wet weight) of Tendu leaves and 9980 foreign fags.

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 09 persons for their involvement in illegal fishing using unauthorized nets, during a search operation conducted in the sea area of Alas Garden, Trincomalee on 21st December 2024. The operation also resulted in the seizure of 02 dinghies used for this illegal activity.

The Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to bring ashore an injured fisherman, who was aboard a local multi day fishing trawler south of Sri Lanka, about 259 nautical miles (479km) off Galle. The fisherman in critical condition due to a fishing hook injury was rescued and treated, through the coordinated efforts of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo. He was taken aboard SLNS Vijayabahu, where emergency surgery was performed to remove the hook. Subsequently, the fisherman was brought ashore on 22nd December and rushed to the National Hospital of Colombo, for further treatment.

Separate search operations conducted by the Navy at the Fishing Observation Point of Palleimunai in Mannar and Mohoththuwaram beach area of Ilangathurei in Trincomalee on 07th and 09th December 2024 led to the apprehension of 03 suspects together with a dinghy for illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers and another 03 persons along with a dinghy for using explosives for fishing activities.

The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard intercepted 02 Indian trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters and apprehended Indian fishermen, during a special operation conducted off the Delft Island on 08th December 2024.