Yacht charter company Sail Lanka has distanced itself from an alleged illegal alcohol distribution incident at Colombo Port City, stating it merely provided facilities under a charter arrangement while a third-party organiser held sole responsibility for the event.
Sail Lanka Charter Private Limited has issued a statement denying any involvement in the suspected unlicensed sale or distribution of alcohol during a yacht party held at Colombo Port City on August 15. The company clarified that it functioned solely as the provider of the vessel and facilities under a charter agreement, with all event management and beverage-related responsibilities falling to the third-party event organiser who booked the yacht for a private music and entertainment gathering.
The clarification follows enforcement action by Sri Lanka's Excise Department, which conducted raids at three Port City locations on suspicion of illegal liquor sales and transportation. During one raid targeting the yacht, authorities arrested a suspect and seized alcohol allegedly being transported without the required permit. Two additional raids targeted a restaurant accused of selling liquor without proper licensing and another establishment that allegedly held alcohol beyond the scope of its permitted beer-only licence.
According to the Excise Department, three suspects were arrested across the three operations and are scheduled to appear before Fort Magistrate's Court. Authorities seized a range of alcoholic beverages, including premium spirits such as Rémy Martin bottles individually valued in excess of Rs. 50,000. The department has appealed to the public to report suspected unlicensed alcohol sales, emphasising that such operations result in substantial losses to government revenue.
Sail Lanka emphasised its commitment to legal compliance across all operational locations, including facilities in Mirissa, Trincomalee and Pasikuda, while requesting media and the public avoid circulating unverified information that could misrepresent the company or its staff. The company stated that regular operations and services continue without disruption.
