Two nabbed with foreign and local currency worth Rs 88 million at BIA

Two youths including female have been arrested with foreign and local currency with an estimated value of Rs 88 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake this evening. 

The passengers, a 22-year-old female and a 24-year-old male from Dematagoda, were arrested by the officers attached to narcotics control unit of Sri Lanka Customs.

They were preparing to board flight UL 225 at 6.25 pm bound for Dubai when they were intercepted at the Silk Route of BIA Departure.

Customs Spokesman said that Rs 44,315,000 in Sri Lankan currency notes of the Rs 1,000 denomination, 599,500 Saudi Riyals, 72,000 UAE Dirham, 45,000 US dollars, 35,000 Euros, 4,000 Oman Riyals and 2,685 Bahrain Dinars were found inside parcels in their luggage.

The total estimated value of the currency is estimated at Rs 88 million.

Deputy Director Sunil Jayaratne said that there is now a huge demand for Sri Lankan rupees in the Middle East  because they can settle the wages of housemaids and small scale employees in Sri Lankan rupees. 

This is a big revenue loss as this foreign exchange is not coming to Sri Lanka, he said. 

Investigations are being carried out by Sri Lanka Customs.