Navy seizes 821kg of smuggled Kendu leaves in Puttalam

The Sri Lanka Navy seized approximately 821kg of smuggled Kendu leaves and apprehended 2 suspects with 2 dinghies during separate search operations in the Gangewadiya lagoon and Serakkuliya beach areas of Puttalam in the dark hours of 21 September 2026.

Naval personnel from SLNS Vijaya, attached to the Northwestern Naval Command, intercepted a suspicious dinghy operating in the Ippantivu lagoon in Gangewadiya. Incidentally, they recovered 10 sacks of smuggled Kendu leaves on board and held 2 individuals. The suspects, aged 35 and 36, were identified as residents of Anawasala in Kalpitiya.

During a subsequent search along the Serakkuliya coast, the Navy discovered a second dinghy abandoned by smugglers evading naval patrols. The operation led to the recovery of further 12 sacks of Kendu leaves from the dinghy.

The apprehended suspects, the two dinghies, and the seized Kendu leaves were handed over to the Puttalam Office of the Excise Department for onward legal action.