Sri Lankan boat illegally fishing in Maldives seized to state; fined by MVR 400,000

‘Pushpa Kumara’, a Sri Lankan boat that was caught illegally fishing in Maldivian waters has been seized to state and the owner of the boat has been ordered by the Civil Court to pay a fine of MVR 400,000.

As the boat was caught illegally fishing in Maldivian waters, Fisheries Ministry filed a case with the Civil Court requesting to seize the vessel to the state and to fine the owner of the boat, Thamanthaa Rukumal Perera by MVR 400,000.

Civil Court delivered its ruling in the case on Wednesday in absentia of Perera.

The Court declared the fine sought by Fisheries Ministry as a proven debt and in this regard, instructed the owner of the boat to settle the fine within 30 days starting from Thursday.

The Court also ruled to seize the boat to the state.

There have been multiple cases of foreign vessels illegally fishing in the Maldivian waters that was stopped by authorities and subsequently fined.