Sri Lanka, Dec. 22 -- Customs officials at the Katunayake Airport departure terminal arrested two Sri Lankan passengers attempting to smuggle a stock of gemstones valued at Rs. 32 million to China. The suspects, identified as gem businessmen aged 38 and 39 from the Beruwala area, were taken into custody last night.

The arrest followed a search based on suspicion, during which officers discovered the gemstones concealed within the passengers' bodies and luggage. The seized collection included Blue Sapphires, Padparadscha, Rubies, Alexandrite, Cat's Eye, Moonstones, and Star Sapphires. The primary gemstones weighed a total of 756 carats.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hiru News....