A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the Mohoththuwaram sea area, Kalpitiya on 23 Feb 26 resulted in the seizure of a large stock (685kg) of dried sea cucumbers being illegally transported by sea. The operation also led to the apprehension of a suspect (01) and a dinghy (01) used for this illegal act.

The Sri Lanka Navy swiftly responded to bring ashore an ill fisherman and transfer him to hospital, for urgent medical attention this morning (24 Feb 26). The fisherman was aboard a local multiday fishing trawler on the high seas off the south coast and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo coordinated the retrieval of the fisherman.

In a coordinated effort on 21 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy and the Coast Guard conducted separate search operations in the sea areas off Chilaw and Thoduwawa, leading to a significant seizure of smuggled items and the apprehension of 02 suspects and a dinghy (01). Among the seized items were; over 992kg of Kendu leaves, 140,000 foreign cigarettes and pesticide.

During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 22 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized 01 Indian fishing boat and apprehended 12 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, in the sea area south of Mannar.

During a search operation in the sea area west of Iranativu, Kilinochchi in the wee hours of 23 Feb 26, the Navy apprehended 10 persons with 1232 illegally harvested sea cucumbers, 03 dinghies and diving equipment.

A coordinated operation mounted by the Navy with the Divisional Crime Detective Bureau of Mannar, in the Saliyawewa area in Puttalam on 22 Feb 26 led to the arrest of a suspect (01) with approx. 02kg of foreign-origin cannabis and a motor bike (01).

In a joint operation conducted on 17 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy and the Coast Guard seized over 1407kg of Kendu leaves, apprehending 02 suspects and seizing a lorry (01).

During operations conducted in the dark hours of 18 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard seized 04 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 22 Indian fishermen, while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters north of Mannar and off the Delft Island, Jaffna.

A coordinated search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Police Special Task Force (STF) led to the seizure of about 9000 foreign cigarettes and the arrest of a suspect in Wattala on 17 Feb 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy, in coordination with the Colombo Harbour Police, conducted a joint search operation at the Colombo Harbour on 16 Feb 26, leading to the arrest of a suspect (01) and the seizure of a stock of 2000 foreign cigarettes.