Navy seizes smuggled pesticides and seeds in Puttalam and Kalpitiya

The Sri Lanka Navy seized a significant haul of smuggled pesticide materials and seeds during operations conducted in Puttalam and Kalpitiya from 20 to 30 Jun 25. The separate operations also resulted in the seizure of 02 dinghies and a lorry.

In a search operation on 20 Jun, the Northwestern Naval Command’s SLNS Vijaya inspected a suspicious lorry near Alankuda Beach, Puttalam, seizing the vehicle along with 32 sacks of pesticide materials and seeds suspected to have been smuggled into the country.

Additionally, on 28 Jun, during another search near Ippantivu Island, Kalpitiya, naval personnel spotted and seized two dinghies carrying 15 sacks of pesticide materials intended for smuggling.

It is suspected that the smugglers abandoned the contraband, along with the lorry and dinghies, due to heightened naval surveillance. The seized items were handed over to the Katunayake Customs Preventive Office for further investigation and legal proceedings.