News
Navy cracks down on local fishers engaged in prohibited fishing and other practices
The Navy arrested 17 individuals for engaging in illegal fishing activities during separate operations conducted in recent weeks in the coastal areas of Kokkadi, Nandikadal, Mullaitivu, Anawasala, Sinnapadu, and Kadeikadu.
The suspects were apprehended while engaging in destructive fishing practices, including the use of explosives, fishing with unauthorised nets without a valid licence, and illegal night diving. The operations also led to the apprehension of 12 fishing boats, a motorbike, 156 unauthorised fishing nets, 184 sea cucumbers, and 22 conch shells.
The Sri Lanka Navy continues to monitor and conduct operations to curb illegal fishing along the country’s coastal areas to ensure lawful fishing practices.
As part of these efforts, SLNS Gotabhaya, under the Eastern Naval Command, carried out special search operations in the Mullaitivu sea area and in the Nandikadal Lagoon between 13 and 16 February. These operations resulted in the arrest of six fishermen engaged in illegal fishing using unauthorised nets. Additionally, naval personnel seized two dinghies, six small boats, 125 illegal fishing traps, 21 trammel nets, nine nylon nets, and a purse seine net.
Furthermore, on 15 February, SLNS Perakumba of the Eastern Naval Command arrested a suspect in the Kokkadi coastal area of Trincomalee with a stock of fish believed to have been caught using explosives.
On 16 February, SLNS Vijaya, under the Northwestern Naval Command, conducted a search operation in the sea off Anawasala, resulting in the arrest of three fishermen. A dinghy, 139 sea cucumbers, and 22 conchs were also taken into custody for illegal harvesting. Similarly, on 19 February, SLNS Thambapanni conducted a search operation in the Sinnapadu coastal area of Chilaw, leading to the arrest of six fishermen involved in illegal night diving. Two dinghies, 45 sea cucumbers, and diving equipment were also apprehended.
In another operation on 19 February, Naval Deployment Veththalakerni of the Northern Naval Command apprehended a suspect in the Mullaiyan Kadeikadu area for fishing without a valid licence. A dinghy was also taken into custody during the operation.
The arrested individuals, aged between 18 and 58, are residents of Mullaitivu, Puttalam, Kalpitiya, Kottantivu, Thopur, and Mulliyan. The suspects, along with the seized items, were handed over to the respective authorities, including the Mullaitivu Assistant Directorate of Fisheries, the Puttalam Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Office, the Mannar Assistant Director of Fisheries, the Muttur Fisheries Inspector, and the Jaffna Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Office, for further legal proceedings.
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is on an official visit to Paris, France to participate in the high-level segment of the International Expert Conference on ’An Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Safeguarding the World Heritage Property of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and Associated Living Heritage’ which was to be held at UNESCO Headquarters today [Tuesday 1 April], with the participation of the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.
The Conference, organized by UNESCO in partnership with Sri Lanka, brings together leading international experts to discuss sustainable strategies for the conservation of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense cultural and historical significance.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet senior interlocutors of the French Government to discuss bilateral cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
The Delegation of the Prime Minister includes the Minister of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) BUNGO and ETAJIMA arrived at the port of Colombo on a goodwill visit this morning (01 Apr 25).
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
The 141m long JMSDF BUNGO is an Uraga-Class Minesweeper Tender commanded by Commander TANAKA Koji and the ship is manned by a crew of 125.
Meanwhile, JMSDF Etajima, a 65-meter-long Minesweeper, is under the command of Commander Oda Takayuki and operates with a crew of 54 personnel.
During the stay in the island, crew members of the ships will explore some tourist attractions within the city of Colombo. The ships are scheduled to set sail from Colombo on 04 Apr.
“You and your families will be eliminated”
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randun
A full-scale investigation has been launched to track down an underworld character, ‘Navy Dinesh,’ a key accomplice of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, for issuing death threats over the phone to three police officers, including the Gampaha HQI, Crime Branch OIC, of the same police station, and others.
Navy Dinesh is believed to have fled the country.
According to police sources, threats were issued following the arrest of Navy Dinesh’s father and brother in connection with a drug trafficking case.
Phone analysis reports have confirmed that the calls originated from Dubai and France.
Following the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, Navy Dinesh assumed leadership of the underworld gang he had previously been involved with.
Navy Dinesh contacted the Gampaha HQI, the OIC of the Crime Branch, and the investigating police constable, and threatened to kill them and their family members. “You and your families will be eliminated,” he said.
A special police team had been assigned to investigate the matter, and a report has been submitted to the courts, police sources said.
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