Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to rescue 104 distressed Myanmar nationals aboard a passenger craft in Sri Lanka’s waters about 3.5 nautical miles north of Veththalakerni this morning (18th December 2022). The distressed craft is reported to have trespassed into island’s territorial waters last night (17th December), following a mechanical failure while it was carrying these people from Myanmar to Indonesia.

A special operation conducted by the Navy in coordination with the State Intelligence Service and Police Narcotic Bureau in the seas about 229 nautical miles (424km) off Dondra led to the interception of 02 local fishing trawlers and apprehension of a large consignment of narcotic drugs with 08 suspects on 14th December 2022. The haul of illegal drugs included over 128kg and 327g of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and 106kg and 474g of heroin (with their packages). In the same vein, SLNS Samudura also held another local fishing trawler with 06 suspects arrived to replenish fuel to the drug-carrying trawler. The consignment of drugs and the suspects were brought to the Colombo Harbour by the Navy this morning (18th December). Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera also arrived at the Colombo Harbour to inspect the consignment.

Sri Lanka Navy intercepted a dinghy which was carrying Kerala Cannabis weighing over 181kg (wet weight), during a special operation conducted in the sea area off Guru Nagar, Jaffna in the wee hours of today (15th December 2022). The operation also led to the apprehension of a suspect (01) in connection to the incident.

In a dedicated search and rescue operation mounted on 13th December 2022, Sri Lanka Navy rescued 03 fishermen from a distressed trawler in southern waters. The rescuees were brought ashore and admitted to the District General Hospital, Hambantota. Reportedly, their fishing trawler had capsized about 180 nautical miles (333km) off Dondra Point, following adverse weather.

In a dedicated search and rescue operation, Sri Lanka Navy rescued 04 fishermen, including a fisher trapped inside a multiday fishing trawler for 04 days, as their trawler was in distress in south-eastern waters, and rushed them to the Kalmunai Hospital for treatment today (11 December 2022). Reportedly, the fishing trawler had capsized about 46 nautical miles (85km) off the Sangaman Kanda Point, following adverse weather.

Sri Lanka Navy took hold of a dinghy carrying about 988g of Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice), following a patrol off Uchchamunai, Kalpitiya on the evening of 08th December 2022.

A naval patrol conducted in Sri Lanka’s waters northwest of the island on the night of 05th December 2022 led to the interception of 02 Indian fishing trawlers carrying over 4000 kg of Kendu Leaves. The Navy also took hold of 08 Indian nationals involved in this illegal act, along with the large consignment of contraband.

Sri Lanka Navy took hold of a local multi-day fishing trawler carrying 20 would-be illegal immigrants to a foreign country, during a special operation conducted in the seas east of the Foul Point, Trincomalee in the wee hours of 05th December 2022.

Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard conducted a special operation in northern waters to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lanka’s waters on the evening of 28^th November 2022. The operation led to the seizure of 05 Indian trawlers with 24 Indian fishermen, poaching in island’s waters off the Kovilan Lighthouse, Kareinagar, Jaffna.

Sri Lanka Navy held a lorry transporting over 24kg of Kerala Cannabis and apprehended 02 suspects, during a search operation carried out in Nachchikuda, Mannar on 22^nd November 2022.