A large-scale duty-free liquor racket operating out of a luxury residence in Colombo was busted yesterday by the Sri Lanka Excise Department, as part of the ongoing Government Tax Week initiative. The operation led to the seizure of imported alcoholic beverages valued at over Rs. 7.5 million.
Acting on a tip-off, officials from the Colombo City Excise Office raided a residence in the Narahenpita area, where they confiscated 337 bottles of various foreign liquor brands—amounting to a total of 337,000 milliliters. One suspect was also taken into custody during the raid.
According to sources within the Excise Department, the illicit operation involved several airport duty-free liquor outlets. The perpetrators had allegedly diverted these goods for illegal sale in the local market after stockpiling them at the upscale Colombo residence.
The investigation is being led by Excise Chief Inspector R. Chinthaka, under the direction of Superintendent of the Colombo City Office Thilak Dissanayake and Western Province I Assistant Excise Commissioner Jayantha de Silva.
The arrested suspect was presented before the Colombo Chief Magistrate and was subsequently released upon payment of a fine amounting to Rs. 145,000.
