Party on luxury yacht near Port City busted; unlicensed alcohol seized

Authorities in Sri Lanka have successfully dismantled an illegal party operating on a luxury yacht near Port City, as part of a wider crackdown on unlicensed alcohol sales. The raid, conducted over the past weekend, also led to the closure of two restaurants found to be selling alcohol without proper permits.

The anti-vice unit of the Excise Department reported seizing a substantial haul of alcoholic beverages. This included 19,500 milliliters of local liquor and 45,400 milliliters of foreign liquor, alongside 244,925 milliliters of beer. The estimated market value of the seized alcohol exceeds 50 million Sri Lankan rupees.

Three individuals were taken into custody during the operation. They were expected to be produced before the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. The coordinated raids underscore ongoing efforts by Sri Lankan authorities to enforce regulations on alcohol sales and public gatherings.