Nov 29, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy jointly with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard has arrested 24 Indian fishermen and seized their five trawlers for breaching the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and illegally fishing in Sri Lanka’s waters.

According to the Navy Media Unit, on the evening of 28th November 2022, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard conducted a special operation in northern waters to chase away poaching Indian trawlers from island’s waters.

The Northern Naval Command has deployed a craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard attached to the Northern Naval Command, to chase away a cluster of Indian trawlers in Sri Lanka’s waters, off the Kovilan Lighthouse, Karainagar, Jaffna.

The operation led to the seizure of 5 Indian trawlers that continued to remain in island’s waters, with 24 Indian fishers and their fishing gear.

The seized trawlers together with 24 Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbor and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings, the Navy said.

Including the recent apprehension, the Sri Lanka Navy has seized 35 Indian trawlers and 252 Indian fishermen during operations conducted so far this year and handed them over to the authorities for onward legal action.

Illegal fishing practices of foreign fishermen in Sri Lanka’s waters deal a blow on the livelihood of local fishermen as well as the marine ecosystem functioning. Taking into account these conditions, Sri Lanka Navy says it continues to remain vigilant and conducts its operations to thwart such practices around the clock.