The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has suspended vessel departure clearances at the Galle Fishery Harbour today, September 20, 2026, following emergency marine warnings issued by the Department of Meteorology.

A developing atmospheric disturbance in the southern Bay of Bengal has intensified gale-force gusts up to 65 kmph, generating wave heights exceeding three meters along the southern coastline from Bentota to Dondra Head. Over 300 multi-day trawlers and day-boat fiberglass craft have been secured within the Galle harbor basin, with coast guard radio operators continuously broadcasting storm updates to offshore vessels already at sea.