A Sri Lanka Navy Dvora vessel has met with an accident in the seas off Angulana.

According to the Navy spokesperson, rescue operations were launched to assist those on board the vessel.

11 people who were on board have been rescued and hospitalized, while one person remains missing.

The Sri Lanka Air Force is assisting with the rescue and surveillance operation.

The Air Force said an Mi-17 helicopter and a Bell 412 helicopter have been deployed to observe the vessel and support the ongoing operation. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has enlisted 330 recruits, including 100 women, under its 267th intake for the Regular and Volunteer Naval Forces.

The recruitment process was conducted on 13 and 14 August in Colombo, with the participation of Director General Personnel, Rear Admiral Sanjeewa Premarathna.

According to the Sri Lanka Navy, following the successful completion of the intake, the new recruits embarked on their distinguished service in the Navy. (Newswire)

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A coordinated search operation by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Police Special Task Force (STF) led to the arrest of a man and the seizure of 7,000 foreign cigarettes in the Mullipuram area of Puttalam.

The operation was carried out following intelligence received by SLNS Thambapanni under the Northwestern Naval Command. 

Naval personnel from SLNS Vijaya, together with STF officers, searched a house in Mullipuram and discovered the stock of foreign cigarettes stored illegally.

The suspect, a 49‑year‑old resident of Norochcholai, was taken into custody. 

Both the individual and the seized cigarettes were handed over to the Puttalam Police for further legal action. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has safely rescued 11 Indian fishermen after their vessel met with an accident near the Delft islands on the northern sea coast.

The incident occurred late last night (05), prompting the Navy to launch an immediate rescue operation. 

Following a prolonged effort, all 11 fishermen were brought ashore at Delft Island today (06). Naval officials confirmed that the men are safe and further procedures are underway.

Meanwhile, the Indian fishing vessel, which was washed ashore by rough seas, is being towed to the Myliddy fishing harbor by naval personnel.

The Navy stated that subsequent activities concerning the rescued fishermen are being jointly handled with officials from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has launched a rescue operation after an Indian fishing vessel engaged in illegal fishing activities off Delft Island met with an accident late last night (05).

The vessel was carrying 11 persons at the time of the incident. Naval officials confirmed that rescue teams have been deployed to save those on board.

The Navy said the accident occurred while the vessel was operating unlawfully within Sri Lankan territorial waters. Efforts are continuing to secure the crew and bring them ashore safely. (Newswire)

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A series of coordinated operations targeting illegal fishing across Sri Lanka’s coastal waters between July 16 and 31 has led to the arrest of 36 individuals, the Navy announced.

The first operation, conducted jointly by the Navy and Police on July 16 at the Salpearu coastal area in Nilaveli, resulted in the arrest of four suspects engaged in fishing with winches and tractors, in violation of fisheries regulations. Two tractors used in the activity were also seized.

Subsequent naval operations carried out from July 17 to 31 across multiple regions led to the apprehension of 32 more suspects. During these raids, personnel confiscated 17 dinghies and one cab used in unlawful fishing practices.

The operations were conducted by the Eastern, Northern, North Central, and Northwestern Naval Commands, covering coastal areas including Salpearu, Thuduwa, Pigeon Island, Sudaikuda, Alampil, Chilawaththai, Kaddaikaadu Kevil in Jaffna, Vankalapadu in Talaimannar, and Ippantivu off Kalpitiya.

The suspects, along with seized boats, vehicles, prohibited fishing equipment, and sea cucumbers, were handed over to Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources offices in Kuchchaveli, Cod Bay, Muthur, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Mannar, and Puttalam for legal proceedings. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday (23) rendered assistance to bring ashore an ill fisherman for urgent medical treatment after he developed a sudden medical emergency aboard a local multiday fishing trawler.

The trawler, carrying six crew members, had departed Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour on July 15 and was operating about 244 nautical miles south of Sri Lanka when one crew member fell critically ill.

Following a request for help, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo coordinated the response, alerting merchant vessels in the area. The vessel CMA CGM BAHIA responded, safely transferring the fisherman onboard to provide immediate assistance.

A Navy craft attached to the Western Naval Command received the patient from the merchant vessel. Naval personnel administered first aid before bringing him to the Port of Colombo, from where he was rushed to the National Hospital of Colombo for further treatment.

The Navy said it remains on alert for such emergencies affecting fishing and naval communities, working closely with MRCC Colombo to ensure rapid response. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has seized an Indian fishing trawler and apprehended nine Indian fishermen engaged in illegal fishing after crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) north of Talaimannar.

According to Navy reports, more than 50 Indian fishing trawlers had trespassed into Sri Lankan waters south of Iranativu on Wednesday (22), engaging in illegal fishing activities.

During the operation, one trawler was seized and nine crew members taken into custody.

The apprehended fishermen and the seized vessel were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for legal proceedings. (Newswire)

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Former Navy Commander Ravindra Wijegunaratne was granted bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday after being produced as a suspect in connection with the 2008 incident involving the abduction and disappearance of 11 youths in Colombo and surrounding areas.

He is accused of aiding and abetting concealment in the case. Appearing in compliance with a previously issued court notice, Wijegunaratne declared himself not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Pasan Amarasena ordered his release on two personal bails of Rs. 1 million each.

The case has been fixed for hearing on December 09. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has apprehended 26 suspects and seized approximately 60,448 sea cucumbers during a search operation in the coastal waters off Southbar, Mannar.

According to reports, the haul is suspected to have been smuggled illegally into the country. 

Naval personnel from SLNS Gajaba of the North Central Naval Command conducted the operation, arresting the suspects and confiscating the sea cucumbers.

In addition, the Navy seized 12 dinghies used in the illicit activity. The suspects, aged between 21 and 64, are residents of Mannar and Negombo.

The individuals, along with the stock of sea cucumbers and the seized dinghies, have been handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries in Mannar for legal action. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has promoted Rear Admiral Damian Fernando to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed him as the 27th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy. 

According to the President’s Office, the appointment, effective July 01, follows the scheduled retirement of current Navy Commander Admiral Kanchana Banagoda.

The letter of appointment was handed over this afternoon (30) at the Presidential Secretariat by Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumaranayake.

Educated at St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa, Vice Admiral Fernando joined the Executive Branch of the Sri Lanka Navy in 1991 as an officer cadet under the 21st intake. After completing basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, he was commissioned as a Sub‑Lieutenant in 1993.

Over a distinguished 35‑year career, Fernando has undertaken numerous professional and specialized training courses locally and internationally. He has been decorated with the Rana Sura Padakkama and Uttama Seva Padakkama medals, and has received six Letters of Commendation from successive Navy Commanders for his professional competence, efficiency, and outstanding service.

He holds a Master of Defence Studies from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and a Master of Arts in International Security and Strategy from King’s College, London. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a diverse consignment of items, including foreign cigarettes, pesticides, and perfumes, suspected of being smuggled into the country. 

According to the navy, the recovery was made during a coastal security operation conducted on Wednesday (24), along the Vellai beach area of Delft Island. The operation was mounted by SLNS Wasaba, under the Northern Naval Command.

While patrolling the coastal stretch of the Vellai beach, naval personnel discovered 06 suspicious sacks. A thorough inspection of the packages led to the recovery of several products, including 500 packets of foreign cigarettes, 2,295 packets of pesticides, 2,569 packs of medicinal ointments, 165 packs of cosmetic creams and 64 bottles of perfume.

Following the seizure, the confiscated items were handed over to the Delft Police Station for further legal proceedings and investigation. (Newswire)

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Former Navy Commander Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been officially named as a suspect in connection with the alleged abduction and disappearance of 11 individuals in Colombo and surrounding areas, incidents said to have been carried out for ransom.

Court officials have issued notice requiring him to appear before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on July 27. 

The case relates to a series of alleged abductions that reportedly took place between 2008 and 2009. (Newswire)

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Indian Naval Ship Sunayna, as IOS Sagar, with a multinational crew from 16 countries, is scheduled to arrive at Colombo on Friday (15), in continuation of the Indian Navy’s endeavour to build ‘Bridges of Friendship’.

According to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, IOS Sagar’s arrival markes her seventh port call in the second edition of this deployment. 

The IOS Sagar was flagged off for sea phase from Mumbai on 02 Apr 2026, on completion of combined harbour training for multinational crew comprising officers and sailors from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Singapore, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor Leste, and the UAE in the Indian Naval training establishments. 

The training covered seamanship, navigation, communication procedures, safety of life at sea, firefighting and damage control, along with specialized modules such as Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations and advanced bridgemanship.

During the port call, the Commanding Officer will call on Senior Officers from the Sri Lanka Navy, namely Commander Western Naval Area and Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet. The multinational crew will have professional and sports interaction with the Sri Lanka Navy, and will visit various places of interest in Sri Lanka.

The Indian High Commission states that the initiative embodies the vision of One Ocean, One Mission, fostering deeper engagement and cooperation among maritime partners for maritime security. 

The deployment of IOS Sagar and the port call are in line with the Indian PM’s vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR) and reflect the Indian Navy’s role in supporting cooperative maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean region. (Newswire)

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INS Sindhukesari, a submarine serving in the Indian Navy, arrived at the port of Colombo on Sunday (03) to undertake Operational Turnarounds. 

The visiting submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions.

According to the Sri Lanka Navy, throughout its stay, the submarine’s crew is scheduled to participate in a variety of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, including visits to several tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has recovered a consignment of smuggled dried turmeric weighing about 1,038kg during a coastal search operation conducted in the Thillayadi beach area of Kalpitiya on Wednesday (22).

According to the Navy, the operation was carried out by personnel from SLNS Vijaya of the Northwestern Naval Command.

While patrolling the shoreline, they seized 26 suspicious sacks containing the turmeric from the beach vicinity. 

The entire stock was later handed over to the Kalpitiya Police Station for legal proceedings. (Newswire)

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Indian Navy Ship INS Nireekshak arrived in Sri Lanka today (21) for an Operational Turnaround (OTR) and training visit, which will continue until April 26.”

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

Commanded by Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, the Diving Support Vessel will conduct a training programme with Sri Lanka Navy diving professionals.

The crew will also take part in activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit tourist attractions in the country. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy arrested 41 individuals in coordinated operations across island waters from April 1 to 15, conducted jointly with the Coast Guard and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, to curb destructive and unauthorized fishing practices. 

Naval personnel also seized 11 dinghies and two tractors used in illegal activities. 

The operations spanned coastal areas and lagoons including Chemmalai, Cheddipalayam, Elizabeth Island, Foul Point, Clappenburg Point, Uppural, Nandikadal Lagoon, Alampil, Elephant Island, Puduwakattu in Trincomalee, Uchchamunai in Puttalam, and Komar Point in Jaffna, executed by the Eastern, Northern, and Northwestern Naval Commands. 

The raids yielded sea cucumbers, commercial-grade explosives, and banned fishing gear. 

The suspects and seized equipment were handed over to Fisheries Department offices in Mullaitivu, Kinniya, Cod Bay, Ichchalanpattu, Kaluwanchikudy, Kilinochchi, and Puttalam, as well as the STF in Pulmoddai, for further legal action. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Navy has uncovered approximately 150 kilograms of heroin from a multi‑day fishing vessel intercepted in the deep sea south of the island.

Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara confirmed the discovery, noting the heroin’s estimated street value at around Rs. 4 billion.

During the special naval operation, officers found 150 packets of heroin concealed in six sacks aboard the vessel. 

Four suspects were taken into custody along with the boat, which was escorted to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour, early Friday morning. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has intercepted a multi‑day local fishing vessel transporting a large consignment of narcotics during a special operation south of the island.

According to the Navy, the long‑range patrol craft carried out the operation in deep-sea waters, leading to the seizure of the vessel along with four suspects on board. 

The vessel was found carrying sacks suspected to contain narcotics.

The Navy confirmed that the vessel, the consignment, and the suspects are being escorted ashore for further investigations and legal proceedings. (Newswire)

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