The Bribery Commission has been ordered to immediately arrest and present in court individuals involved in the illegal importation of luxury vehicles since 2015, which has reportedly caused over Rs. 50 billion in losses to Sri Lanka Customs.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage said that the commission should not only seize the vehicles but also arrest those responsible. This directive followed a presentation by the Bribery Commission, which revealed that only 20 out of the 200 illegally imported vehicles have been returned to date.

During the proceedings, a Mitsubishi Jeep valued at Rs. 60 million was produced in court. The court was informed that the vehicle’s owner had failed to comply with a judicial order to surrender it by September 18, leading to its seizure after obtaining a court order.

The magistrate highlighted the commission's responsibility to target those who intentionally defraud the government, reinforcing the directive for immediate arrests. The investigation into the 200 luxury vehicles involves fraudulent registrations as ordinary vehicles prior to 2015, using false data submitted to the Motor Traffic Department.