The Sri Lanka Navy conducted special operations to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters in the evening of 28th October 2023 and this morning (29th October 2023). The separate operations led to the seizure of 05 Indian trawlers with 37 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Mannar as well as near the Delft Island, Jaffna.
The Navy remains committed to conducting routine patrols and operations within Sri Lankan waters to deter the unlawful fishing activities of foreign trawlers. This effort is driven by an understanding of the impact of such practices on the livelihoods of local fishermen and the marine resources of the country.
In similar operations, the North Central Naval Command and Northern Naval Command deployed its Fast Attack Craft, Inshore Patrol Craft and small craft to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, after having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters on 28th October 2023 and this morning (29th October 2023).
In these operations, the North Central Naval Command held 03 Indian poaching trawlers that continued to remain in island waters off Mannar, with 23 Indian fishers aboard. In the same vein the Northern Naval Command apprehended 02 Indian poaching trawlers with 14 Indian fishermen who were poaching near the Delft Island.
The apprehended Indian fishermen (37) and the poaching trawlers (05) were brought to the Talaimannar Pier and Kankesanthurai harbour and they will be handed over to the Talaimannar and Jaffna Fisheries Inspectors for onward legal action.
Including the poaching trawlers held in this operation, the Sri Lanka Navy has seized 27 Indian poaching trawlers and apprehended 174 Indian fishermen thus far in 2023. Following these apprehensions, the poaching trawlers and fishermen have been handed over to relevant authorities for legal action.
Although the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has banned 22 institutions operating illegal pyramid schemes, no legal action has been taken against any of them so far, according to reports.
This was disclosed during a workshop held at the CBSL yesterday (July 08) on the dangers of pyramid schemes.
According to CBSL officials, after initial investigations, the files were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiry.
The CID’s Financial Crimes Unit has reportedly completed its investigations and submitted findings to the Attorney General’s Department, which is responsible for filing cases.
However, it was noted that not a single case has been filed to date.
The CBSL states that investigations will be continued against companies engaged in these illegal practices and hopes at least one or two such cases would be filed by the end of this year or early next year (2026).
U. D. Nishantha Jayaweera was sworn in as a National People’s Power (NPP) National List Member of Parliament before the Speaker of the House – Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, today (July 09).
He fills the Parliamentary seat left vacant following the resignation of Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma last month.