Navy seizes smuggled Kendu leaves stock in Negombo

The Sri Lanka Navy seized a stock of smuggled Kendu leaves during a search operation conducted in the Negombo lagoon area on 19 October 2026.

The operation was carried out by SLNS Kelani of the Western Naval Command. During the search, naval personnel inspected 4 suspicious sacks floating in the lagoon. The sacks contained over 157kg of Kendu leaves, believed to be abandoned by smugglers due to heightened naval surveillance.

The seized stock of Kendu leaves was handed over to the Katunayake Customs Preventive Office for onward legal proceedings.