At least 22 Indian fishermen along with two of their mechanised bottom trawlers were taken into naval custody last night for poaching off Kudiramalei Point, south of Mannar, Navy said.
Accordingly, the Northwestern Naval Command had spotted a cluster of Indian trawlers engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters. In response, a Coast Guard ship attached to the Western Naval Command was dispatched to send away those Indian trawlers poaching off Kudiramalei Point, south of Mannar seas.
The operation resulted in the seizure of two bottom trawlers and the arrest of 22 Indian fishermen who continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters despite the warning issued by Navy personnel.
The trawlers and arrested Indian fishermen were brought to Kalpitiya and they will be handed over to Kalpitiya Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action, Navy said.
Customs have detected 228 mobile phones and tabs valued at over Rs 30 million left behind in the duty free shopping complex at the Banaranaike International Airport today, Customs officials said.
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