Sri Lankan Vessel Owner Fined for Illegal Fishing in Maldivian Waters

The Civil Court has ordered the owner of a Sri Lankan fishing vessel to pay a fine of MVR 400,000 for unauthorised entry and illegal fishing within Maldivian maritime territory.

The case dates back to 2022, when a Sri Lankan fishing boat was intercepted by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) coast guard ship Huravee while engaged in illegal fishing activities about 79 nautical miles east of M. Muli island.

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Following the incident, the prosecution, acting on behalf of the Ministry of Fisheries, initiated legal proceedings in September 2022 against the vessel’s owner, identified as Sri Lankan national Ranjit Prekumara Silva. The prosecution sought the imposition of a fine of MVR 400,000 and the forfeiture of the vessel.

According to court records, the defendant failed to respond to the charges and did not appear in court, leading the case to be decided in absentia. Judge Ali Abdullah issued the verdict this week, ordering the defendant to pay the fine within 14 days. The ruling, however, stated that there was no legal basis to order the confiscation of the vessel.

The Ministry of Fisheries had previously issued fine notices to the vessel owner, though the payment has not yet been made.