COLOMBO, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan navy has seized over 19,000 kg of kendu leaves that have been smuggled into Sri Lanka thus far in the year 2025, the navy said in a statement on Friday.

Its latest seizure, about 2,123 kg, was made Thursday in Kalpitiya, in northwestern Sri Lanka, where sailors found 64 sacks filled with the leaves.

Kendu leaves are used to roll beedi, a filterless cigarette, and may be imported only with a government license.