Navy takes hold of about 606kg of Kendu leaves in Kalpitiya

The Sri Lanka Navy took hold of about 606kg (wet weight) of Kendu leaves adrift in waters, during a search conducted close to the Mattutivu Island in Kalpitiya lagoon on 24th July 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 in the Northwestern Naval Command retrieved 19 suspicious sacks drifting in waters near the Mattutivu Island in Kalpitiya lagoon, during a search conducted in the dark hours of 24th July. The sacks contained about 606kg (wet weight) of Kendu leaves which were subsequently taken into naval custody. It is suspected that smugglers might have abandoned the stock being unable to fetch them ashore.

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.