The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a drug consignment valued at approximately Rs. 1.5 billion during a special operation conducted early today (27) at Madagal-Kusumanturai beach in the Northern Province, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara said.
Speaking at a special press conference, the Deputy Minister said the seized narcotics weighed nearly 81 kilograms and included around 35 kilograms of heroin and nearly 45 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’.
He said the seizure was the largest drug consignment recovered from the Northern region in recent history.
The Deputy Minister said the total value of narcotics seized by the Navy during operations in 2025 was approximately Rs. 75 billion, while drugs valued at around Rs. 56 billion have been seized so far this year.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damian Fernando said the operation was launched based on intelligence received by the Northern Naval Command.
He said several teams, including personnel from SLNS Agbo and naval deployment units, took part in the operation. The seized narcotics have been handed over for further investigations with the assistance of the Jaffna Police Narcotic Bureau.
The Navy Commander said the Navy is conducting anti-drug operations through specialised task forces and that efforts to curb drug smuggling would be further intensified.
He added that the Navy plans to make greater use of advanced technology in future operations, noting that the necessary technological equipment is already being received to strengthen and expand its operations.
