The highest stock of illegally imported cigarettes to be destroyed by Sri Lanka Customs was carried out at a storage yard in Kerawalapitiya.
State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated the stock of illegally imported cigarettes was valued at Rs. 15 billion.
The State Minister of Finance stated that there were 200 million sticks of cigarettes that had been confiscated by Sri Lanka Customs and that they had been illegally imported to the country in 2021.
The State Minister also thanked Sri Lanka Customs for having helped the government save Rs. 13 million in state revenue.
“These cigarettes cannot be sold as no one can vouch for its standard. The opened cigarette boxes contain cigarettes that are completely faded. This is why we have decided to destroy the stock,” he said.
State Minister Siyambalapitiya added that the cigarettes had been illegally imported by 3 companies which have been imposed a fine of Rs.2 5 million each. (NewsWire)