Three Sri Lankan nationals attempting to smuggle a total of 69 kg of Wallapatta, values at over Rs 3.4 million, have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.    

The suspects aged 25, 30 and 35 who are hailing from Kandy, were preparing to board flight WY 0376 bound for Dubai when they were arrested this morning (7) by Customs staff attached to the BIA Departure.

Transportation or possession of the endemic plant Wallapatta (Grynops Walla), which only grows in certain parts of the island, is prohibited. The commercial value of this tree came to light with the attempts to illegally fell and smuggle it to extract Agarwood.

Meanwhile a Japanese national who arrived from Kyoto last night was intercepted by AASL Security and handed over to the Customs while attempting to smuggle out some foreign currency. 

They found 3,000,000 Japanese Yen (equivalent to LKR 4,164,900) in his possession.

In another detection a Sri Lankan male, aged 28 and from Bandaragama area, was nabbed after he arrived from Dubai by FZ  551 at 6.30 am today (7) with some restricted items.

A total of 49 Cartons and 336 Packets (16,520 sticks) of cigarettes and 15 kg of Cardamom valued at Rs 876,000 was found in his luggage.