The Sri Lanka Navy seized more than 2,000 kilograms of smuggled kendu leaves and arrested ten suspects in an interception operation off Chilaw on April 28, an updated Navy account confirmed.
NewsFirst reported the seizure as approximately 1,600 kg on Thursday, citing Navy Spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath. A Newswire account published Friday raised the figure to over 2,000 kg recovered in 54 sacks, and dated the operation to April 28. A Navy ship on patrol observed an Indian dhow attempting to transfer suspicious cargo to three local dinghies in the Chilaw sea area, and naval personnel boarded and seized the consignment.
Ten suspects were taken into custody — four Indian nationals aboard the dhow, aged 18 to 50, and six Sri Lankans aged 21 to 42, all residents of Kalpitiya. The dhow and the three dinghies were also seized.
Kendu, also called tendu, leaves are harvested from the Diospyros melanoxylon tree native to India and are used to wrap beedi cigarettes — a hand-rolled tobacco product widely consumed across South Asia. The trade in the leaves is heavily regulated in India and is the subject of recurring smuggling operations into Sri Lanka, often via small craft moving across the Palk Strait.
The Navy has scaled up maritime enforcement in the western and northern coastal sectors in recent months, intercepting consignments of narcotics, contraband cigarettes, fuel and ornamental goods — including a 161 kg heroin seizure off Devinuwara in April. The seized consignment, suspects and vessels were handed over to the Colombo Port Customs Preventive Office for further legal action.
