Sri Lanka Navy today (02nd June 2021) rendered assistance to safely bring ashore a group of fishermen who were aboard a distressed fishing vessel in the Southern seas.

RV ‘Samudrika', a research vessel from the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), operated by the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) was deployed on 01^st June 2021 to collect water and sediment samples from the sea area where the distressed ship MV X-PRESS PEARL was laying. The primary objective of this sample collection was to conduct a post survey on the environmental impact following this ill-fated incident.

During a special foot patrol conducted in Masankuda beach area, Madagal this morning (02^nd June 2021) the Navy managed to seize about 101kg and 700g of Kerala cannabis attempted to be smuggled into the island. Further, a suspect involved in this racketeering and a dingy used to transfer the narcotics were also taken into naval custody.

A special patrol conducted by the Navy in the seas north of Mannar led to the seizure of about 29kg and 800g of Kerala cannabis along with a dinghy and 02 suspects on 01^st June 2021.

Sri Lanka Navy managed to seize about 48kg and 900g of Kerala cannabis during a special night foot patrol conducted in the beach area of Kottadi in Point Pedro on 30^th May 2021. During further search in the area, the Navy was able to recover another consignment of Kerala cannabis weighing around 31kg and 835g today as well (31^st May).

The Navy rendered assistance to fix 04 inoperative sluice gates of Inginimitiya reservoir in Puttalam district on 28^th May 2021.

A special night foot patrol carried out by the Navy in the beach area of Kottadi in Point Pedro led to the apprehension of about 48kg and 900g of Kerala cannabis hidden in a dinghy on 30^th May 2021.

By virtue of special patrols being conducted to prevent people from entering Sri Lankan waters by illegal means, the Navy was able to prevent 40 individuals aboard 04 Indian fishing vessels, from their attempt to enter into Sri Lankan waters on 29^th May 2021.

The fire on MV X-PRESS PEARL, a container ship anchored 9.5 nautical miles northwest of the Port of Colombo, is subsiding at this point in time. As of this morning (27^th May 2021), heavy smoke and small flames were observed from the ship. In the meantime, the Navy in coordination with the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has launched a special operation to minimize the impact on the coast due to various debris, including containers wash ashore, after having fallen overboard the fire-damaged ship and to keep the public out of danger from getting in touch with possible chemical compounds contain in such items.

The barge belongs to Road Development Authority, which transfers people and goods from Kurikattuwan pier of Punkudutivu island to Nainativu, was in dilapidated condition as a section of it had partially submerged in sea following adverse weather. Extending all possible support to this matter at hand, Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to refloat the defunct barge today (27^th May 2021).