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Navy nabs more than 200 fishers for harvesting of sea cucumbers illegally
Naval operations carried out in Eastern, Northern, Northwestern and North Central Naval Command areas in the past two weeks have led to the seizure of 10,219 sea cucumbers illegally harvested through night diving and the apprehension of a group of individuals and diving gear used for this illegal act.
The Navy has increased its day-and-night patrols covering the seas around the country in an attempt to prevent illegal fishing practices.
The North Central Naval Command, during patrols conducted in Walaipadu and Iranativu sea areas, took into custody 6,878 illegally-harvested sea cucumbers, 53 persons, 11 dinghies and diving gear.
The Northwestern Naval Command in Arippu, Kondachchikuda and Kalpitiya seas, the Northern Naval Command off Allapiddi and Eastern Naval Command in the sea area of Sallimunai seized 3,341 illegally-harvested sea cucumbers.
The navy took into custody 22 persons, seven dinghies and other accessories used by the suspects.
Other naval operations carried out in Eastern, Northern, Northwestern, North Central and Southeastern Naval Commands from February 16 to March 30, 2021 led to the apprehension of 128 more individuals and the seizure of 41 craft engaged in illegal fishing.
The suspects ranging aged from 17 to 61 years, held in these separate operations were identified as residents of Trincomalee, Point Pedro, Lunuwila, Thoduwawa, Negombo, Gandara, Kuchchaveli, Sendun, Kinniya, Pottuvil, Kudiraweli, Karadikuli, Kalpitiya, Jinnamuham, Silawathura, Puttalam, Mannar, Allapiddi, China Bay, Arippu, Kandakuliya, Nachchikuda, Sallisambalthivu, Gurunagar, Talaimannar, Poduwakattu, Vankalai, Muthur, Kiranchi, Sivapuram, Mulankavil Ambalantota and Tissamaharama areas.
The suspects along with the fishing vessels and gear were handed over to the Assistant Directors of Fisheries in Trincomalee, Mannar and Muthur, Fisheries Inspectors of Kuchchaveli, Puttalam, Kalpitiya, Pooneryn, Silawathurai, Jaffna and Kilinochchi, Police stations of Kalpitiya, Kayts and Trincomalee and office of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Point Pedro and Pottuvil for legal action.
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“Improve the quality of infrastructure and services provided to tourists visiting the country.” – President
President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the necessity of providing high-quality infrastructure and services for tourists visiting Sri Lanka, as the country has gained significant international recognition as an attractive tourist destination.
Accordingly, the President instructed officials to pay special attention to this matter and take necessary actions.
President Disanayake issued these instructions during a discussion held today (17) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials from the Ministry of Tourism.
During the discussion, officials briefed the President on the budgetary allocations designated for the Ministry of Tourism and the projects being implemented under those funds.
With the tourism sector taking a new step forward, Sri Lanka aims to attract three million tourists this year. The discussion also extensively covered the utilization of these budgetary allocations for the development of essential infrastructure to support this goal.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment Vijitha Herath, Deputy Minister of Tourism Dr. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, along with a group of senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, attended this discussion.
The French Navy Ship PROVENCE arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on Sunday (16 Mar 25) morning.
She was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with the time-honoured naval traditions.
The 142.20m long Destroyer is Commanded by Captain Lionel SIEGFRIED and manned by a crew of 160 members.
During the stay in the island, crew members of PROVENCE will visit some tourist hotspots in the country and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 20 Mar.
The Court of Appeal this [17] morning dismissed the writ petition filed by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, seeking an interim injunction to prevent the execution of the arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court against him.
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