Customs officers at the departure terminal of the Katunayake Airport have arrested a Chinese national attempting to illegally export 48.6 kilograms of Kothala Himbutu (Salacia reticulata) concealed in his luggage.
The detection was made yesterday (02), during routine operations at the airport.
The passenger, booked on China Eastern Airlines flight MU 714 bound for Kunming, had hidden the plant stock inside packages labelled as tea.
Kothala Himbutu is classified as a specially protected plant under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, and its export is prohibited. Customs officials confirmed that the attempt also violated provisions of the Customs Ordinance.
The Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Division of Sri Lanka Customs joined airport officers in conducting further investigations.
The seized stock of Kothala Himbutu, valued at approximately Rs. 145,000, was confiscated, and the passenger was fined Rs. 200,000. (Newswire)