General

The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard have captured four Indian fishing boats and arrested 22 Indian fishermen for illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters near Mannar and off Delft Island in Jaffna. This operation took place during the night of the 18th, as stated by the Sri Lanka Navy. The North Central and Northern Naval Commands noticed a group of Indian fishing boats violating fishing laws by entering Sri Lankan waters. In response, both Naval Commands sent naval vessels to remove the Indian boats from the areas north of Mannar and near Delft Island. During the boarding process, naval personnel seized four Indian fishing boats and detained 22 fishermen who were still fishing illegally in these waters. The two boats and the 10 fishermen taken in Mannar were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar. The other two boats, along with 12 fishermen caught off Delft Island, were given to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy for further legal action.