A major duty-free liquor selling racket operating out of a luxury residence in Colombo was busted by the Sri Lanka Excise Department yesterday, coinciding with the government’s tax week.
During the raid, carried out by officers from the Colombo City Excise office in the Narahenpita area, officials seized 337 bottles of imported liquor—totaling 337,000 milliliters—worth over Rs. 7.5 million.
The operation led to the arrest of one suspect, who was allegedly linked to a network involving several airport duty-free shops. Authorities believe the perpetrators were diverting duty-free alcohol into the local market after stockpiling it at the Colombo residence.
Investigations are being led by Excise Chief Inspector R. Chinthaka, under the supervision of Superintendent Thilak Dissanayake and Western Province I Assistant Excise Commissioner Jayantha de Silva.
The suspect was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate and released after paying a fine of Rs. 145,000.
