The Sri Lanka Navy has seized 02 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 14 Indian fishermen for poaching off the coasts of Baththalangunduwa and north of Mannar.
The Navy said the fishermen were arrested during operations conducted yesterday to curb illegal fishing practices in Sri Lankan waters.
Accordingly, the Northwestern and North Central Naval Commands had spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing and trespassing into Sri Lankan waters last night.
In response, both Naval Commands had deployed their Inshore Patrol Craft to drive away those Indian fishing boats off the coasts of Baththalangunduwa and north of Mannar.
A compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of 02 Indian fishing boats and apprehension of 14 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen were brought to Kalpitiya and Talaimannar Pier and were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries, Mannar and Puttalam, for legal proceedings. (Newswire)