The Sri Lanka Navy seized more than 2,000 kg of smuggled Kendu leaves during a search operation off Chilaw on April 28, 2026, and intercepted an Indian dhow and three local dinghies allegedly involved in the smuggling attempt.

The Navy said the operation was carried out after a naval vessel on patrol observed the Indian dhow attempting to transfer suspicious cargo to the three local dinghies in the Chilaw sea area.

During the inspection, naval personnel recovered 54 sacks containing over 2,000 kg of Kendu leaves believed to have been smuggled into the country.

The operation also resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects, including four Indian nationals aboard the dhow and six Sri Lankan suspects on the dinghies.

The Sri Lankan suspects, aged between 21 and 42, are residents of Kalpitiya, while the Indian nationals are between 18 and 50 years old.

The seized consignment, along with the suspects and the vessels, was handed over to the Colombo Port Customs Preventive Office for further legal action. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has seized around 742 kilos of Kendu leaves along with 03 dinghies during two separate operations in Chilaw this week.

According to the Navy, the raids were conducted in the Negombo Lagoon and Karukapane Lagoon on Sunday (09) and Monday (10). 

SLNS Kelani, belonging to the Western Naval Command, recovered 16 packs of Kendu leaves weighing approximately 513kg from a suspicious dinghy during a search operation near the Kotalawala Bridge in the Negombo Lagoon.

In another search operation conducted by the Rapid Action Boats Squadron (RABS) Headquarters in the Northwestern Naval Command in the Karukapane Lagoon, naval personnel seized about 229kg of Kendu leaves in 06 sacks, from 02 dinghies.

The stocks of Kendu leaves held in Negombo and Karukapane have been handed over to the Customs Preventive Office, Katunayake and the Excise Special Unit, Chilaw, respectively, for legal action. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has seized over 836kg of smuggled Kendu leaves during separate operations carried out off Paramunai and Kudawa beach areas in Kalpitiya.

According to the Navy, the sting operations had been conducted yesterday (30) and today (01). 

The search operations also led to the apprehension of 01 dinghy and 02 persons in connection to the acts of smuggling.

The Navy stated that SLNS Vijaya belonging to the Northwestern Naval Command intercepted a suspicious dinghy, during a search conducted off Paramunai last night. When searched, the Navy recovered 17 sacks of Kendu leaves weighing about 550kg and 750g and took them into custody along with the dinghy and 02 suspects involved in the racket.

Meanwhile, SLNS Vijaya also recovered about 286kg and 200g of smuggled Kendu leaves, in 09 sacks, from the Kudawa beach, during a search carried out in the area this morning (01st May).

The Navy stated that the suspects held are residents of Anawasala in Kalpitiya, aged 18 and 23. 

The accused along with the total consignment of Kendu leaves held in both operations and the dinghy were handed over to the Customs Preventive Office in Katunayake for legal action. (NewsWire)

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