Navy takes hold of about 2,123kg of smuggled Kendu leaves in Kalpitiya

The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of about 2,123kg of smuggled Kendu leaves, during a search operation carried out today (05 Jun 25) in the beach vicinity of Mohoththuwaram, Kalpitiya.

A team of Sri Lanka Navy Marines from SLNS Vijaya, under the Northwestern Naval Command, conducted the search operation leading to the discovery of 64 suspicious sacks concealed in shrubs along the Mohoththuwaram beach. The sacks, suspected to have been hidden by smugglers, contained approximately 2,123 kilograms of Kendu leaves.

The stock of Kendu leaves will be handed over to the Excise Special Unit in Puttalam for onward legal action. Including the recent apprehension, the Navy has seized over 19,000kg of smuggled Kendu leaves thus far in the year 2025 and handed them over to authorities for onward legal action.