Over 2,680kg of smuggled Kendu leaves seized in Puttalam

The Sri Lanka Navy seized more than 2,680kg of Kendu leaves smuggled into the country during coordinated search operations carried out in the Puttalam coastal areas of Pallivasalpadu and Nawatkadu on 8 September 2026.

The search operations were conducted jointly by naval personnel attached to SLNS Thambapanni of the Northwestern Naval Command and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard. During the operations, 64 suspicious sacks found in the coastal areas of Pallivasalpadu and Nawatkadu were inspected, leading to the recovery of more than 2,680kg of Kendu leaves.

The consignment is suspected to have been abandoned by smugglers due to heightened naval surveillance in the areas. The seized Kendu leaves were handed over to the Puttalam Excise Office for further legal action.