Navy apprehends 14 fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters

Colombo, July 29 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Navy has seized two Indian fishing boats and apprehended 14 Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters off Baththalangunduwa and north of Mannar.

The operation was carried out in the early hours of July 28 by the Northwestern and North Central Naval Commands, as part of the Navy’s ongoing efforts to prevent illegal fishing activities that impact the livelihoods of local fishermen.

According to the Navy, the boats were detected during routine patrols and were found trespassing and engaging in illegal fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters. In response, Inshore Patrol Craft were deployed to drive the vessels away. Two of the boats were intercepted and boarded, leading to the arrest of 14 Indian nationals onboard.