Sail Lanka Charter Private Limited (SLC) has denied any involvement in the alleged sale or distribution of alcohol without a valid Excise licence at a yacht party held at Colombo Port City on August 15.
The company issued the clarification following reports of raids conducted by the Excise Department at three locations within the Port City over the alleged illegal sale and transportation of liquor.
According to the Excise Department, one of the raids targeted a luxury yacht allegedly taking groups out to sea for parties while carrying liquor without the required licence. A suspect was arrested along with the liquor allegedly being transported without a permit.
SLC said the event on August 15 had been organised by a third-party event organiser, who had chartered the yacht and its facilities to host a private music and entertainment event.
The company stressed that it had no involvement in the organisation or conduct of the event, or in the purchase, supply, transportation, sale, distribution or serving of alcohol.
“Our involvement was limited to providing the yacht and facilities under the agreed charter arrangement,” SLC said, adding that all responsibilities relating to the event, including the provision and handling of beverages, rested solely with the event organiser.
The company said it remained committed to complying with Sri Lankan laws and regulations across its operations, including those in Colombo Port City, Mirissa, Trincomalee and Pasikuda.
Meanwhile, the Excise Department said three suspects had been arrested during the three raids and were expected to be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court.
The other raids targeted a restaurant allegedly selling liquor without the required licence and another establishment that allegedly possessed liquor beyond the scope of its licence, which was limited to beer.
The seized items included premium liquor, beer and other alcoholic beverages. An Excise official said some bottles of Rémy Martin were valued at more than Rs. 50,000 each.
The Excise Department urged the public to provide information on establishments allegedly selling liquor illegally or without the required licences, noting that such activities result in losses to government tax and Excise revenue.
SLC also requested the media and public to refrain from sharing unverified information that could incorrectly associate the company or its employees with the alleged violations, and said its normal operations and services remain unaffected. (Newswire)
