MP Ali Sabri Raheem of the Puttlam District was suspended from parliament for one month with effect from today after being found guilty for a smuggling offence, speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced a short while ago.
On May 23, 2023 the Minister was apprehended at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with more than 3 kgs of gold worth over 70 million rupees, and a large quantity of mobile phones which he attempted to smuggle into the country.
The Minister misused his parliamentary privileges and diplomatic passport while attempting to smuggle the aforementioned items.
Sri Lanka Customs imposed a fine of 7.5 million rupees, and confiscated the smuggled items.
While violating the Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians adopted on March 7, 2018, betraying public trust, his conduct has violated the privileges of the entire Parliament.
Customs have detected 228 mobile phones and tabs valued at over Rs 30 million left behind in the duty free shopping complex at the Banaranaike International Airport today, Customs officials said.
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