Person arrested in Hambantota with 1,600 foreign cigarettes

A person was arrested in Mirijjawila, Hambantota, with about 1,600 foreign cigarettes intended for illegal sale, following a search operation by the Navy and the Police Special Task Force on 1 September 2026.

The coordinated operation was conducted in the Mirijjawila area by naval personnel attached to SLNS Kawantissa, under the Southern Naval Command, together with the Hambantota Police Special Task Force, acting on reliable information received by the naval establishment.

The suspect held in this operation was identified as a 20 year old resident of Mirijjawila. He and the consignment of cigarettes were handed over to the Hambantota Harbour Police for further legal action.