COLOMBO, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan Navy arrested three persons who were smuggling about 11.3 kg of gold out of the country via boat on Saturday, the navy said in a press statement.
The navy said the arrest was made in the sea off Kalpitiya in Sri Lanka's Northwestern province.
The gold and the suspects have been handed over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for legal action, the navy said.
The navy carries out regular search operations and patrols in coastal and sea areas around the island to combat illegal activities. ■