Navy seizes over 1,270kg of smuggled Kendu leaves in Kalaaru seas

The Sri Lanka Navy seized more than 1,270kg of smuggled Kendu leaves during a search operation conducted in the Kalaaru sea area off Baththalangunduwa on 30 September 2026.

The operation was conducted by personnel attached to SLNS Vijaya of the Northwestern Naval Command. During the operation, 26 suspicious sacks found in the sea area were inspected. The sacks contained more than 1,270kg of Kendu leaves, which were suspected to have been abandoned by smugglers following the Navy’s heightened surveillance.

The seized Kendu leaves were handed over to the Kalpitiya Police Station for onward legal action.