Joint operations under the “A Nation United” national mission have intercepted narcotics worth more than Rs. 108 billion in street value since October 2025, with seizures exceeding Rs. 68 billion recorded in 2026 alone.
The Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard have continued to intensify their joint efforts to combat drug trafficking, with the latest operation resulting in the seizure of narcotics valued at more than Rs. 11.8 billion.
The coordinated operation was launched following credible information received by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard. Search teams recovered 10 sacks and 11 travel bags suspected of containing narcotics from a beach, together with a dinghy believed to have been used to transport the consignment.
Subsequent examinations conducted with the assistance of the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) confirmed the seizure of approximately 239.764 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, contained in 200 packages, and approximately 321.941 kilograms of heroin packed in 275 parcels.
The seized narcotics and the dinghy were handed over to the PNB for further legal proceedings.
The latest seizure adds to the significant quantities of narcotics intercepted through joint Navy–Coast Guard operations since the launch of the “A Nation United” national mission in October 2025, bringing the total estimated street value of seized narcotics to over Rs. 108 billion, the Navy said in a statement.
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala and Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), together with Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damian Fernando, Southern Naval Area Commander Rear Admiral H.N.S. Perera, Sri Lanka Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Ruwan Rupasena and Director General Operations Rear Admiral Chaminda Karunasena, were present to inspect the seized consignment.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) said the Sri Lanka Navy continued to conduct intensified operations in waters surrounding the island to safeguard national security and support the “A Nation United” national programme against narcotics.
He added that joint operations involving the Armed Forces, Police, PNB, Special Task Force, and local and foreign intelligence agencies would continue to prevent narcotics from entering the country.
The Deputy Minister urged the public to support law enforcement agencies by sharing information through the dedicated hotlines 1818 and 1997. He also acknowledged the role of the media in raising public awareness about substance abuse.
The Sri Lanka Navy, in collaboration with the Coast Guard, intelligence services and law enforcement agencies, said it remains committed to strengthening national efforts to combat drug trafficking and prevent narcotics from reaching the country.
