Ethanol found in containers seized by Excise Department

The investigations carried out by the Sri Lanka Customs have confirmed that the spirits in the containers that were seized at Ingurukade Junction were Ethanol used for distilling alcohol.

The Excise Department seized the two containers last Wednesday. The Customs retained the containers until the owners came. As the owners did not appear, under the customs ordinance it was decided to open the containers. When the excise officials were there to open the containers yesterday, the customs officials refused to open them before the media personnel. A tense situation also arose between senior customs officers and the media personnel. When the containers were opened this morning there were 310 barrels consisting of spirits. A tax of 1.1 million rupees was paid for the two containers which were imported in the pretext of turpentine. The customs said that the value of the spirits amounts to 95 million rupees.