Customs seize largest gold smuggling attempt at BIA worth Rs. 1.1 billion

15 July 2025 08:15 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 14 Bookmark

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By T.K.G. Kapila

Sri Lanka Customs today seized the largest gold consignment ever attempted to be smuggled into the country by an air passenger, Customs Media Spokesperson and Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda said.

The suspect, a 32-year-old businessman from the Grandpass area in Colombo, had arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning on Emirates flight EK-650 from Dubai, which landed at 8:40 a.m.

Customs officers discovered over 35 kilograms of gold, valued at Rs. 1.10 billion, concealed in nine specially modified devices resembling car spare parts, as well as in the suspect's suitcase.

The seized stock included 195 gold biscuits and 13 kilograms of gold jewelry, Arukgoda said.

Due to the scale and sophistication of the smuggling attempt, several senior customs officials, including the Director General of Customs Sarath Nonis, visited the Katunayake Airport to observe the operation.

Comments - 14

Justin Perera Tuesday, 15 July 2025 08:31 PM

This is why you get abnormally rich people in Sri Lanka. It shows how Jewellers get the gold and make super profits and don't pay the correct taxes but under declare revenue and taxes. How can there be social justice when public funds required for development is pilfered.

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Observer Tuesday, 15 July 2025 10:33 PM

Public funds required for development were pilfered. by politicians all the way down from Presidents and family to the Provincial Councillors and some govt servants who all became rich overnight. If a Comm of Motor Traffic had 4M in his office, imagine over the years the rake off. If Mervyn Silva, a minion cannot explain 600M, imagine the amount by the R's.

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Zarook Wednesday, 16 July 2025 07:51 AM

Imagine the quantity in the 322 containers.

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Staff Tuesday, 15 July 2025 08:41 PM

Why not disclose the name of pax???

2 28

Dr Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 15 July 2025 10:34 PM

What is the use of knowing the name? They discovered it and the fine should be Rs 1.10 billions and the Gold should go to the treasury. The persons involved should be investigated ( instead of going after petty thefts) and they should be imprisoned with hefty fines collected. But practically, he will escape with Rs 100k fine with no jail and he will try it again. This Rs 1.10 billion may be his past profits.

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Appuhamy Wednesday, 16 July 2025 10:08 AM

I agree. These people try to evade the taxes and duties payable by these methods, and is a crime against the nation and citizens.

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Hard Truth Wednesday, 16 July 2025 10:45 AM

Grandpass means Hajiyar. Hope you understood

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Lawry Wednesday, 16 July 2025 03:00 AM

Perhaps the accomplices at the airport failed to help. Compliments to the government.

0 3

UAli Wednesday, 16 July 2025 06:28 AM

How come custom allowed wajira abewardena’s wife freed,when she the same? Is it because her political connections

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Saradiel Wednesday, 16 July 2025 07:46 AM

Small advise or a warning. My gut feeling is, they arrange 2-3 smuggles in the same flight or another arriving around the same time. One get caught, then with the attention being diverted to this person, others slip through. So they are still in profit. I hope this doesn't happen and the officers continue to pay attention to all without getting distracted. Have never seen more than one getting caught around the same time.

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Ram P Wednesday, 16 July 2025 09:34 AM

These smugglers are ready to take risks with Billions of Rupees. How much could be their assets? Apart from the Customs investigation IRD too must investigate their assets

1 7

JIFFRY YOUSUF Wednesday, 16 July 2025 10:32 AM

Just a simple logic is the set custom officer not in duty at the time of his arrival in the BIA

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ultimate Wednesday, 16 July 2025 10:41 AM

These are messengers and not the actual smugglers. the nerve setters are behind the scenes, poor fellows get paid per trip and obviously does not own the gold. catch the big guns please!

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Hector Delavega Sunday, 24 August 2025 04:31 PM

IF YOU WERE TO BRING GOLD TO SINGAPORE U.K USA, OR ANY PROSPEROUS COUNTRY, ITS LEAGAL AND THIS PERSON HAS NO ISSUE. GOLD IS MONEY. THE GOVT SHOULD NOT TAX MONEY JEWELLERS SHOULD BE TAXED ON PROFITS MADE ON JEWELLERY.......

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