The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 22 persons for engaging in light-coarse fishing and night diving, during search operations conducted off Nayaru, Mullaitivu and around Kinniya Bridge on 27th April 2023. Along with the suspects, 08 dinghies, diving gear and fishing equipment were also taken into naval custody.

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 10 persons for engaging in illegal harvesting of sea cucumber, during search operations conducted off Kudirippu, Veththalakerni and Nagar Kovil in Jaffna on 26th April 2023. The operations also led to the seizure of 1040 sea cucumbers, 05 dinghies and diving gear.

A special operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy 23rd April 2023 in the coastal area of Anthonypuram in Palali, Jaffna led to the apprehension of a suspect with over 26 kg of Kerala cannabis.

A Vietnamese-flagged fishing vessel carrying 303 Sri Lankan nationals was reported to be in distress in Vietnam Seas on 07th November 2022. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo stationed at the Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters promptly coordinated the rescue of this group of people whom were temporarily settled in Vietnam upon rescuing. Among the rescued Sri Lankans, 151 were deported from Vietnam and they arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake on 28th December 2022. In the same vein, 23 more Sri Lankans whom were deported subsequently arrived in Katunayake on 19th April.

A search operation conducted by the Navy in Udayapuram Beach area in Jaffna led to the recovery of 25 Water Gel Sticks - a type of commercial explosive on 19th April 2023.

A coordinated operation conducted by the Navy and the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries (ADF) in Mullaitivu led to the apprehension of 08 persons who engaged in light-coarse fishing off Nayaru and Alampil, Trincomalee in the dark hours of 18th April 2023. During the operation, the Navy also seized 04 dinghies and unauthorized fishing gear used for this illegal act.

Separate operations conducted by the Navy in the sea areas of Mamunai and Chundikulam, Jaffna on 16th and 17th April 2023 led to the apprehension of 12 persons engaged in illegal night diving and light-coarse fishing. During the operations, the Navy also seized 03 dinghies and unauthorized fishing gear used for these illegal acts.

In a coordinated operation conducted out by the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard, based on information of the State Intelligence Service, a local multi-day fishing trawler carrying about 179 kg and 654g (including packages) of heroin was intercepted about 132 nautical miles (about 244km) off the Little Basses, Hambantota on 15th April 2023. The operation, carried out by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship ‘Samudraraksha’, also resulted in the apprehension of six (06) suspects. This morning (17th April), the consignment of narcotic drugs and the suspects were brought to the Galle harbour where Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera was present to inspect them.

The Navy intercepted an Indian dhow carrying over 62kg of Kerala cannabis and apprehended 03 suspects, during a special operation conducted in the Sri Lankan waters west of the Delft Island, Jaffna in the dark hours of 15th April 2023.

A special search operation conducted by the Navy off Valvettithurai, Jaffna in the dark hours of 09th April 2023 led to the recovery of more than 134kg (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis adrift in waters.