Sri Lanka Navy fights against illegal fishing [October 28 2010]

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) commenced raids to prevent illegal fishing around the country following the directives of the Ministry of Defence and the assistance of the Ministry of Fisheries.

During the past few days, the SLN has detected haul of illegal fishing gear, including explosives, and taken several people into custody.

SLN Spokesman Captain Athula Senarath said over 1,600 non-electric detonators and consignment of gelignite were detected on a tip off given by the villagers of Lallemunaei, Mannar.

The raids carried out with the assistance of the Fishing Inspectors of the Ministry have taken four people and their boats with detonators used for illegal fishing into custody and handed over to the Police for further investigations.