A suspect has been arrested with 5,575 bottles of illicit liquor bearing counterfeit security stickers that had been illegally stored, police said yesterday.

The arrest was made during a joint operation conducted by the Navy and the Mullaitivu STF camp, police said. The suspect, a 43-year-old resident of Mullaitivu, was taken into custody along with the stock of illicit liquor.

The raid was launched following intelligence received by SLNS Gotabaya attached to the Eastern Naval Command. During the operation, officers inspected the counterfeit security stickers affixed to the seized bottles of liquor.

The security sticker ment tax revenue by enabling authorities to verify that excise duties have been paid on liquor products. In recent months, several raids have uncovered illicit liquor manufacturing operations and counterfeit bottles bearing fake security stickers.

On June 28, officers attached to the Western Province North Crime Division raided an illegal liquor distillery on Sudarshanarama Mawatha in Malabe. An army officer was arrested as the main suspect, while five other suspects were taken into custody along with a stock of illicit liquor and equipment allegedly used in its manufacture.

Based on the main suspect’s confession, police subsequently carried out a special operation in the Batticaloa area, uncovering further details of the racket.

Police suspect that the security stickers used on the counterfeit bottles of liquor had been printed in Chennai, India, and shipped to a local agent in Sri Lanka. They also suspect that ethanol used in the manufacture of the illicit liquor had been obtained with the assistance of the secretary to a prominent politician from Kurunegala.

Police said that the investigation was also focusing on whether the security stickers affixed to the counterfeit bottles of liquor had been obtained from the supplier company or from the Excise Department. Preliminary information indicates that while the liquor inside the bottles was counterfeit and of inferior quality, the security stickers themselves may have been genuine. Authorities are also investigating whether similar counterfeit products are already available in the market.

By Norman Palihawadane ✍️

Following the death of a 75-year-old woman who owned a large estate at Kiribathkumbura in the Daulugala Police Division, a dispute has arisen among four parties claiming her remains.

Inquirer into Sudden Deaths Senaka Karunaratne has ordered that the body not be released to anyone until a court order is obtained, as none of the four parties who came forward to perform the final rites could legally establish their claims.

The deceased had been living for about 16 years on the upper floor of a two-storeyed house with a married couple and their children.

Among the claimants are a nephew of the deceased’s sister and a person claiming to be the husband of another niece.

By S.K Samaranayake ✍️

The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Lithuania in Sri Lanka has warned the public against fraudulent schemes involving individuals and agents claiming they can secure employment in Lithuania for Sri Lankan nationals travelling on tourist visas.

The Consulate said it had received several complaints and inquiries regarding such false promises and urged Sri Lankans not to fall victim to scams offering overseas employment opportunities through illegal channels.

It emphasised that individuals cannot enter Lithuania on tourist visas and obtain employment, warning that anyone demanding money while promising to arrange jobs through such means could be attempting to commit fraud.

Sri Lankans seeking employment opportunities abroad have been advised to follow only legally approved procedures and seek assistance from registered foreign employment agencies recognised by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). Applicants have also been urged to verify all information through official channels before making any payments.

Kanchana Kodituwakku, Director – Public Relations, Communications, Political and Diplomatic Relations, and Consular Affairs of the Honorary Consulate, said the institution worked closely with the Embassy of Lithuania and continued to monitor reports of fraudulent job offers to protect people from financial losses and risks to their safety.

He said the Consulate remained committed to guiding Sri Lankan nationals seeking legitimate opportunities in Lithuania, including higher education and lawful employment pathways.

The public has been advised to refer to the official communication channels of the Honorary Consulate of Lithuania in Sri Lanka for verified information and seek clarification directly from the Embassy of Lithuania or the Consulate before pursuing any overseas opportunities.