The “Lagoon Park and Tourist Boat Service” in Kattankudy was ceremonially inaugurated on Sunday (22), marking a new step in enhancing the town’s beauty and boosting its tourism sector.

The project was conceptualized under the guidance of Deputy Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and Member of Parliament,  M.L.A.M.Hizbullah, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest and officially declared the facility open.

The event was held under the patronage of Kattankudy Urban Council Chairman S.H.M. Asfar, with the participation of the Vice Chairman, council members, community leaders, well‑wishers, and a large gathering of the public. (Newswire)

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A search operation is underway to find two individuals reported missing after a boat had capsized near the Gurunagar Jetty in Jaffna today.

According to the Police, 23 people were rescued, and five individuals are currently hospitalized. 

The incident had occurred when the boat was carrying a group of pilgrims travelling to the Palaitivu Festival. 

A search operation is currently underway with the assistance of the Navy and Police. (Newswire)

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A boat seized by the Navy and brought to the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour yesterday contained nearly 160 kilograms of ‘ICE’ narcotics valued at over Rs. 2 billion, Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) said. 

Addressing the media, the Deputy Minister of Defence, said that, in addition, more than 21 kilograms of heroin were also found on board.

The multi‑day fishing vessel, suspected of transporting narcotics in the deep seas south of Sri Lanka, was seized by the Navy and brought to the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour, along with five suspects, for further investigations.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the vessel had originally departed from the Gandara area for fishing activities.

The drugs discovered on the vessel, together with the suspects, have been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigation. (Newswire)

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The Maldivian Police has confirmed that a large haul of narcotics was seized from the Sri Lankan vessel ‘Avishka Putha’ that was taken into custody after being found within the Maldivian Exclusive Economic Zone without authorization.

Issuing a statement on the incident,  the Maldivian Police said 355.9 kilos of suspected narcotics were seized from the vessel.

The Maldivian Police further said that five individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. 

According to the Maldives Police, 24 sacks containing 58.6 kilos of suspected heroin and 297.3 kilos of suspected ‘ICE’ narcotics were found in the vessel. 

The arrested suspects are aged 39, 42, 28, 34, and 63. 

Sri Lankan fishing vessel ‘Avishka Putha’ was taken into custody by the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard on Friday (07). 

The vessel and its five crew members were handed over to the Maldives Police Service on Sunday (09) for further investigations. (Newswire/ Image- Dhuvas)

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The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has arrested a suspect for aiding Ishara Sewwandi, the chief suspect in the murder of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa in February, to flee to India by boat. 

According to the Police, the suspect was arrested along with a boat near the Aralithuduwa coastal area in Jaffna.

The suspect was arrested after questioning his detained accomplice, Anandan, who is a relative of the arrested man.

It has been revealed that the boat, which allegedly facilitated Ishara’s escape to India, belonged to Anandan and was equipped with a 400-horsepower engine.

The suspect is reported to have operated as Anandan’s assistant and is suspected of helping Sewwandi escape to India via Jaffna. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Navy has detected a boat carrying a large number of persons off the coast of Mullaitivu today.

Navy Media Spokesman Captain Gayan Wickramasinghe told Newswire that the boat had been detected in Sri Lankan waters.

Sri Lanka Navy boats have been dispatched to inspect the boat, while the identities and origin of the people on the boat are yet to be ascertained.

Captain Gayan Wickramasinghe said investigations are currently underway by Sri Lanka Navy boats which are currently inspecting the boat to find out why it had entered Sri Lankan waters.

However, media reports state the boat was carrying 103 persons, who were refugees from Myanmar. (Newswire)

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A multi-day fishing boat equipped with advanced cooling technology and a fuel-saving bulbous bow was handed over to Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The multi-day fishing boat was provided as part of the initiative by the FAO, with funding from the government of Norway, toward enhancing resilience and sustainability in Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector.

According to the FAO, this initiative promotes the adoption of new technologies to reduce post-harvest losses, lower operational costs, and improve the quality of fish for both local and export markets.

Enhancing Resilience through Advanced Cooling Systems

Sri Lanka’s multi-day fishing vessels, essential for deep-sea fishing, especially in the tuna export industry, often rely on ice to preserve fish during long voyages. However, this practice frequently compromises quality, leading to post-harvest losses. The Fish Loss and Waste (FLW) Assessment conducted by FAO in 2022–2023 found an average quality loss of 41.4% in the catch from Sri Lanka’s multi-day fisheries.

To address this challenge, FAO has installed an advanced cooling system on a newly constructed multi-day fishing vessel to ensure fish are kept at optimal temperatures throughout the voyage. This technology strengthens the resilience of fishing operations, ensuring higher-quality fish products reach the market while reducing waste and spoilage.

Boosting Efficiency with Fuel-Saving Bulbous Bow Technology

Fuel efficiency is critical for Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector, as multi-day boats consume between 8,000 and 11,000 litres of diesel per trip, costing operators 3 to 4 million LKR per voyage. To ease this burden, FAO provided technical expertise for the installation of bulbous bow technology on the vessel. This innovation minimizes wave resistance, delivering a 13% reduction in fuel consumption.

This innovation not only helps offset the additional fuel required by the cooling system but also brings long-term economic benefits to boat owners. The cost of installing the bulbous bow—approximately 1 million LKR—was borne by the boat owner with FAO’s technical support, highlighting the private sector’s role in adopting sustainable practices.

Empowering Fishermen with AI-Driven Quality Assessment Tools

A key challenge faced by fishermen is securing fair prices for their catch. Middlemen often exploit gaps in quality knowledge, leaving fishermen with reduced profits. To address this, FAO developed an AI-powered mobile app, enabling fishermen to assess the quality of their fish in real time based on Yellowfin Tuna export standards.

The app provides immediate feedback through a simple photo upload, giving fishermen the power to negotiate better prices. This tool enhances the resilience of fishing communities by ensuring more equitable market access and fairer pricing.

These initiatives, handed over to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, are part of FAO’s broader commitment to build resilience in Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector by promoting sustainable practices, reducing post-harvest losses, and empowering fishing communities. By integrating modern cooling systems, fuel-efficient technologies, and AI-based tools, FAO is driving a transformation that supports the economic and environmental sustainability of the sector. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has sentenced to death seven (07) fishermen over the murders of three persons in 2012.

According to reports, the suspects are accused of murdering 3 fishermen by throwing them overboard from a trawler.

The murders had taken place after the suspects had hijacked a fishing trawler in an attempt to illegally travel to Australia in 2012. 

The suspects, also fishermen, had allegedly thrown three fishermen overboard the hijacked trawler and had injured several others during their attempt. 

Issuing the verdict on the case today (Jan 24), Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige sentenced the seven suspects to 29 years of rigorous imprisonment and also imposed a fine of over Rs. 2 million. (NewsWire)

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