Sri Lanka Customs has reiterated that it is strictly forbidden for any passenger arriving from abroad to bring cigarettes into the country, warning that violations will result in severe legal penalties.
In line with this regulation, 232,804,000 foreign cigarettes seized over the past four months were burned and destroyed today at the Kerawalapitiya Waste-to-Energy Power Plant.
The confiscated stock, valued at Rs. 305 million, would have cost the government Rs. 271 million in lost tax revenue if it had entered the local market.
The destruction operation was overseen by senior officials, including heads of the Bandaranaike International Airport security divisions and Sri Lanka Customs Media Spokesperson and Director of Customs, Wandana Punchi Hewa.
Sri Lanka Customs emphasized that all passengers must comply with the cigarette ban to avoid strict legal action.
