Sri Lanka, Nov. 5 -- Sri Lanka Customs has seized a container carrying more than 4.5 million illicit cigarettes, valued at Rs. 792 million inclusive of taxes, at the Grayline 2 Customs facility in Thotalanga today (5).

Additional Director General of Customs (Enforcement) Dakkula Ariyawatta said the container had been imported from India using false declarations, with the shipment described as paper and photocopying paper.

The consignment had been imported by a company based in the Kandana area using fraudulent information, he said.

Customs officials discovered the cigarettes after inspecting the container following suspicions about the declared contents.

The seized cigarettes are valued at Rs. 792 million, including applicable taxes,...