About 3524 kg of smuggled Tendu leaves recovered in Kalpitiya

A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the beach area of Kandakuliya and sea area off Uchchamuni of Kalpitiya on 08th August 2024, led to the recovery of about 3524kg (wet weight) of Tendu leaves. It is believed the consignment of Tendu leaves was smuggled into the country via sea.

The Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols in the coastal areas of the island, with a view to prevent the influx of a wide range of illegal items into the island.

As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command recovered 19 sacks of Tendu leaves, weighing about 642kg, from nearby shrubs of Kandakuliya beach. In another operation mounted in the sea area of Uchchamuni, naval personnel retrieved 86 sacks of Tendu leaves adrift in waters. The stock of Tendu leaves weighed around 2882kg (wet weight). Altogether, the Navy successfully seized approximately 3524kg of smuggled Tendu leaves during this operation.

The consignment of Tendu leaves will be handed over to the Excise Special Unit of Northwestern Province for onward legal action.