COLOMBO, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan authorities on Thursday destroyed illicit cigarettes worth over 48 million U.S. dollars, local media reported.
The contraband items were confiscated by Sri Lanka's customs in the past two years after foiling multiple smuggling attempts, said the reports.
State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was quoted as saying that the illegally imported cigarettes were valued at 15 billion rupees (48.6 million dollars).
Siyambalapitiya said it was the largest consignment of impounded cigarettes destroyed by Sri Lanka's customs. ■
