Navy Radars detect a large number of Indian fishing boats engaged in poaching in the Sri Lankan waters off Thalaimannar

Sri Lanka Navy concluded the search operation conducted today morning in the seas off Thalaimannar. The Navy launched the search operation when two of its small fibre glass boats were fired upon by two Indian fishing craft engaged in illegal fishing north of Thalaimannar close to Iranathivu yesterday (4th February 2008).

It is now suspected that LTTE sea tigers may have been involved in the incident. LTTE sea tigers often use the cover of Indian fishing boats to launch attacks on SLN vessels and craft. They mingle with Indian fishing boats to avoid detection and launch attacks endangering the lives of the Indian fishermen in the ensuing retaliatory fire. LTTE sea tigers have a track record of highjacking Indian trawlers and boats to be used in attacks against the Navy and to run clandestine arms smuggling activities across the Gulf of Mannar.


The Navy’s radars had detected approximately 400 Indian fishing trawlers in the Sri Lankan territorial waters north of Thalaimannar close to Iranathivu yesterday (04th February 2008) around 6.00 p.m.

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