Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have arrested a Sri Lankan woman attempting to illegally transport a stock of flower plants concealed inside travel bags.
The passenger, who arrived from Bangkok on SriLankan Airlines flight UL 403, was intercepted at the Green Channel by airport customs officers together with officials from the Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Unit of Sri Lanka Customs.
According to the Plant Protection Act No. 35 of 1993, the importation of plants or their parts into Sri Lanka requires a valid permit issued by the Department of Agriculture, along with a quarantine certificate from the exporting country confirming freedom from pests and compliance with all quarantine conditions.
Customs officials stressed that any importation outside these requirements constitutes an illegal act and a violation under the Customs Ordinance.
Following investigations, the stock of flower plants was confiscated, and a fine was imposed on the passenger. The seized plants have been handed over to the Airport Plant Quarantine Office for destruction. (Newswire)