Sri Lanka Navy has apprehended 19 individuals engaged in illegal fishing practices in the seas off Kokkilai in Pulmoddai.
During this operation mounted by SLNS Ranweli in the Eastern Naval Command on Tuesday, the Navy also held 04 dinghies and unauthorized fishing gear used for the illegal act.
The navy said the apprehended individuals had been fishing using commercial explosives.
The persons held in this operation were identified as residents of Pulmoddai, Nilaveli and Kuchchaveli, falling, aged between 18 to 49 years.
They have been handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mullaitivu for onward legal action.
