Lankan arrested with foreign currency worth Rs. 4.6m

A Sri Lankan man was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by the Customs while attempting to smuggle out foreign currency worth Rs.4.6 million concealed inside his hand baggage this evening.

Customs media spokesman Leslie Gamini said the suspect was bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He was identified as a 54-year-old resident of Dematagoda.

He was arrested at the Airport departure lounge at the final check point with 130,000 Saudi Riyals in his possession. He was later handed over to Customs, together with the foreign currency by the staff of the Airport and Aviation Security Services Limited, Mr. Gamini said.

The contraband is equivalent to Rs.4,687,254, he said.

Investigations were carried out by Customs superintendents Rohana Senadeera, and L.A.D.J. Gunawardana, and assistant superintendents M.K. Malalgoda, M.P.P Chaturanga, R.A.K. Sumanasiri, M.M.M Uwais, M.G.C. Dammika, S.K.S. Chamara and Ms. A.W.K.E. Habaraduwa.  The inquiry was held by deputy director K.G.P.P Kumara. (Chaturanga Pradeep)