Large stock of Sevanagala sugar factory ethanol detected on its way to Dankotuwa 

… suspect carrying fake documents claims consignment for perfume producer   

By Shamindra Ferdinando

A chance detection of a lorry transporting ethanol, on the Southern Expressway, over the weekend, revealed that an illicit distillery, situated in the Dankotuwa police area, was obtaining supplies from the Lanka Sugar Company Private Limited, Sevanagala.

The demand for ethanol is extremely high since the government banned its import in January 2020.

Ethanol is made by state sugar companies as well as private ones. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of molasses which is a byproduct of sugar manufacturing process.

DIG (Legal) and attorney-at-law Ajith Rohana said that the police were inquiring into all aspects with an open mind.

The 35-year-old driver of the lorry had initially claimed 5,000 litres of ethanol in 25 large cans were being taken to a perfume manufacturer.

DIG Rohana said that initial investigations revealed that the suspect was carrying fake documents and the consignment was on its way to Dankotuwa.

The police spokesperson identified the suspect as a resident of Thorana junction, Kelaniya. According to DIG Rohana, the lorry having entered the southern expressway at the Anguruwathota exchange was proceeding when the traffic police followed it.

DIG Rohana said that the traffic police later handed over the suspect along with the lorry to the Weeraketiya police. The suspect was to be produced before the Walasmulla Magistrate.

DIG Rohana acknowledged that in spite of restrictions in place to regulate the movement of ethanol various ruses could be adopted by racketeers to secure required supplies.

Sevanagala Sugar Company couldn’t be contacted at the time of going to press yesterday.