Police can conduct excise raids - Magistrate

Marawila Chief Magistrate Sirimewan Mahendrarajah said police has the power to conduct raids and file charges pertaining to excise related cases.

Police Media Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said the verdict was given when a case filed by the Marawila Police regarding an excise offence was taken up for hearing yesterday.

DIG, Attorney-at-Law Ajith Rohana appeared on behalf of the Marawila Police.

DIG Ajith Rohana said they argued based on the previous judicial precedent that the judgement given by Supreme Court in 2011 was not acceptable, but the case filed in the Court of Appeal in respect of police powers under the Excise Ordinance in 2010 was acceptable.

Hence, it was determined that the police has the power to file charges under the Excise Ordinance.