Navy seizes Rs. 1.5 billion drug haul off northern coast

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized nearly 81 kilograms of narcotics worth an estimated Rs. 1.5 billion during a special operation off the Kusumanthurai coast in Mathagal in the north, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara said on Sunday.

Speaking at a special media briefing on the seizure, Jayasekara said the haul included nearly 35 kilograms of heroin and about 45 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice.

He said it was the largest drug haul seized from the north in recent years.

Jayasekara said narcotics seized by the Navy during operations in 2025 had an estimated value of around Rs. 75 billion, while drugs seized so far this year were valued at about Rs. 56 billion.

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damien Fernando, who also addressed the briefing, said the latest operation was carried out following intelligence received by the Northern Naval Command.

Several teams, including personnel from the Sri Lanka Naval Ship Agbo establishment and the deployment division, took part in the operation, he said.

Fernando said the seized narcotics had been referred for further examination with specialist assistance from the Police Narcotics Bureau in Jaffna.

The Navy was carrying out anti-narcotics operations through specialised teams and intended to intensify such operations further, he said.

Fernando said the Navy was operating in a complex environment and planned to make greater use of technology in future operations.

Equipment required for this purpose was already being supplied to the Navy, he said, adding that this would allow it to conduct broader operations in the future.