Special search operations conducted by the Navy in the beach vicinities of Vankalai and Silawathurai in Mannar on 13th November 2024 led to the apprehension of 05 suspects who had engaged in illegal night diving to harvest sea cucumbers. The operation also resulted in the seizure of 1055 illegally harvested sea cucumbers.
The Sri Lanka Navy carries out regular search operations and patrols in the coastal and sea areas around the island, with a view to preventing illegal fishing practices.
During a search operation conducted in the Vankalai beach area, SLNS Pussadewa in the North Central Naval Command apprehended 03 individuals who had engaged in night diving to harvest sea cucumber and held 604 illegally harvested sea cucumbers. In a similar operation carried out by SLNS Therapuththa in the Silawathurai beach area led to the apprehension of 02 persons with 451 illegally harvested sea cucumbers. Accordingly, these separate operations resulted in the apprehension of 05 individuals with 1055 illegally harvested sea cucumbers.
The suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Vankalai and Silawathurai, aged between 28 and 68. The suspects together with sea cucumbers were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries, Mannar and Fisheries Inspector of Silawathura for onward legal action.
