Three (3) suspects arrested for illegal fishing in South Bar Mannar

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 3 suspects and seized a small boat with around 300kg of fish suspected to have been caught using explosives during a search operation conducted in the South Bar lagoon area of Mannar on 28 September 2026.

The operation was conducted by personnel attached to SLNS Gajaba of the Northern Central Naval Command. During the operation, a suspicious small boat was inspected in the South Bar lagoon area, while the suspects were transferring the fish catch.

The three suspects, aged between 20 and 64, were identified as residents of Mannar. The suspects, the boat and the fish catch were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries, Mannar for onward legal action.