🚨 Sri Lanka Customs Seizes Illicit Cigarettes Worth Rs. 31 Million at BIA

Provisional details from Sri Lanka Customs report a major contraband interception at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). • Overall Seizure: Smuggled cigarettes valued at Rs. 31 million were confiscated by customs officers at the airport's Green Channel Arrival area. • Timeline & Suspects: The operations took place over a two-day period on 29 and 30 May 2026. A total of 18 passengers were intercepted, comprising 16 foreign nationals and 2 Sri Lankan nationals. • Economic Impact: While further investigation details are pending, such operations are critical for curbing revenue leakages from unpaid excise duties and protecting national border security.