Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva fined three traders from Pettah a total of Rs. 600,000 for possessing, distributing, and selling counterfeit perfumes labeled under a globally recognized brand ‘Victoria’s Secret’.
The suspects were found guilty of violating intellectual property laws and evading government taxes by importing and selling imitation goods. They admitted to the charges at the initial hearing, prompting the court to issue the fine and order the destruction of the seized counterfeit products.
The case involved representatives from three shops on Second Cross Street, Pettah. The items were confiscated following a court-approved search warrant obtained in response to a complaint filed by an American company. The complaint alleged that counterfeit perfumes were misleading consumers in Sri Lanka.
Authorities stated that the goods were imported using undervalued declarations to avoid taxes, causing financial loss to the state. The counterfeit products were also described as potentially harmful to consumers’ health.
The prosecution cited Sections 184 and 186 of the Intellectual Property Act, which prohibit the imitation and sale of trademarked goods. They requested the court to impose a minimum fine of Rs. 500,000 per offender.
Similar counterfeit products were also discovered in shops in Nugegoda and Dehiwala.
The accused told the court they were unaware the goods were counterfeit and asked for leniency after pleading guilty. The magistrate, noting their cooperation and early admission of guilt, imposed a fine of Rs. 200,000 on each trader and ordered the destruction of the fake perfumes. (Newswire)