Bottles of liquor produced in court found to be containing water, tea-coloured liquid -​ Magistrate orders probe

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga yesterday directed the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to immediately launch an investigation and submit a report regarding a stock of seized foreign bottles of liquor produced as case items but found to be containing plain water and tea-coloured liquid.  

This order was issued after considering a request made by the Colombo Crimes Division.  

Presenting facts before the court, CCD officers stated that the investigation pertains to 81 bottles of foreign liquor and 150 bottles of beer seized and submitted in connection with four ongoing cases before the Aluthkade No. 03 Magistrate’s Court.  

They informed the court that the investigation had been initiated following a directive from the Additional Magistrate, after suspicions arose during a court ordered destruction of the liquor stock. At that moment, it became apparent that the contents were not genuine alcoholic beverages, but some form of substitute liquid. Accordingly, the Additional Magistrate had immediately halted the destruction process and ordered the bottles to be sealed.  

The liquor stock is currently stored in the case goods room of the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, and CCD requested necessary orders to proceed with further investigations.  

It was also revealed that a complaint regarding the matter had already been filed with the Keselwatta Police by the court registrar, seeking an inquiry into how the seized bottles of liquor had turned into plain tea and water.   Keselwatta Police, having reported facts to court, noted that sealing of the bottles was carried out by CCD officers and, therefore, recommended that a higher-level investigation be conducted by senior officers.   Having considered all submissions, the Chief Magistrate granted permission for the investigation and ordered that if any suspects are identified, they be produced before the court.