Excise Department officers have conducted a series of raids at Colombo Port City, seizing large quantities of liquor allegedly being sold or transported without valid licences.
The raids were carried out by officers attached to the department’s island-wide Special Operations Unit under the direction of senior officials.
One of the major operations targeted a luxury party boat operating from Port City. According to Excise officials, the vessel was being used to host parties at sea where liquor was served without the required permits.
The boat reportedly charged between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 60,000 per trip and catered to groups that included Sri Lankan, Indian and Chinese nationals.
Excise officers intercepted the vessel and arrested a suspect, while also seizing stocks of liquor allegedly being carried and served without the necessary authorisation.
In a separate raid, officers searched a restaurant inside the Port City complex and found a substantial quantity of liquor allegedly being sold without a valid licence.
Another establishment was raided after officials found that spirits were being served despite its licence permitting the sale of beer only.
