Navy takes hold of about 318kg of Kendu leaves in Kalpitiya

The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of about 318kg (wet weight) of Kendu leaves washed ashore at Serakkuliya, during a foot patrol and a search operation conducted at Serakkuliya beach on 12th August 2023.

The Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols in coastal and sea areas of the island to prevent nefarious activities being carried out via sea routes.

As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Vijaya, SLNS Thambapanni and Rapid Action Boat Squadron in the Northwestern Naval Command carried out a foot patrol and a search operation in the beach area of Serakkuliya on 12th August. During this operation, naval personnel recovered 09 suspicious packages of washed ashore and they have been stuffed with Kendu leaves weighing about 318kg (wet weight).

It is suspected that racketeers have smuggled this consignment of Kendu leaves and abandoned at the beach due to Navy’s presence in the area.

Meanwhile, the seized consignment of Kendu leaves has been kept in the naval custody until they are handed over to authorities for onward legal action.