By The Pulseline News Desk
The Excise Department has stepped up enforcement action inside Colombo Port City, conducting three major raids that had reportedly uncovered liquor allegedly being sold or transported without the required licences.
The raids were carried out by officers attached to the islandwide Special Operations Unit on the instructions of senior Excise Department officials, according to an Excise official quoted in the media.
One of the operations had targeted a luxury boat operating from the Port City, which had allegedly taken groups out to sea for parties while carrying liquor without an Excise licence.
The vessel, which reportedly charged between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 60,000 per outing, had catered to groups including Sri Lankan, Indian and Chinese nationals.
Excise officers monitoring the area had intercepted the boat and arrested a suspect, while also seizing liquor allegedly being transported without the required permit.
In another operation, officers had raided a restaurant within the Port City and recovered a substantial stock of liquor allegedly being sold without the necessary licence.
A third establishment was also targeted after officers had allegedly found that it possessed liquor outside the scope of its licence. The establishment was reportedly authorised to sell beer but was found to be in possession of other alcoholic beverages.
Three suspects were arrested in connection with the three raids and are expected to be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court.
The seized stock had included premium alcoholic beverages, including bottles of Rémy Martin reportedly valued at more than Rs. 50,000 each, along with beer and other liquor.
The latest operations highlight the challenges faced by the Excise Department in regulating alcohol sales and distribution within the rapidly developing Port City, where restaurants, entertainment venues and other businesses are increasingly catering to both local and foreign visitors.
Excise authorities have warned that businesses operating outside the licensing framework not only breach regulations but also undermine government revenue collected through Excise duties and other taxes.
The Department has urged members of the public to provide information regarding establishments suspected of selling or distributing liquor illegally or without the required licences.
Officials have said such information would assist the Department in identifying and taking action against businesses engaging in unauthorised liquor-related activities.
Sail Lanka responds
Meanwhile, 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 clarification was issued following reports that the Excise Department had conducted raids 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 carrying groups out to sea for parties while transporting liquor without the required licence. A suspect was arrested along with liquor allegedly being transported without a valid permit.
SLC has said the August 15 event had been organised by a third-party event organiser, who had chartered the yacht and its facilities for a private music and entertainment event.
The company has emphasised that it had no involvement in organising or conducting 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 has said, adding that all responsibilities relating to the event, including the provision and handling of beverages, rested solely with the event organiser.
SLC has further stated that it remains committed to complying with all applicable Sri Lankan laws and regulations across its operations, including those in Colombo Port City, Mirissa, Trincomalee and Pasikuda.
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