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Duty Free shopping at Katunayaka airport fails to epitomise luxury

World Duty Free, commonly known as WDF, epitomises luxury and is considered to be the Rolls Royce of the duty free industry.

WDF presents world-renowned brands imported directly from brand manufacturers and offers all its customers a memorable shopping experience.


The stores in both the departure and arrivals halls have products in all categories such as spirits, confectionery, perfume and cosmetics.

Along with fantastic promotions, an immaculate world class store layout and an unmatched level of Sri Lankan hospitality and customer service, WDF is truly a world class experience.

Travellers who pass through the Bandaranaike international Airport (BIA) are yet to gain a such sense of satisfaction in not only getting the best possible duty free shopping deals and superior products but also an unmatched level of service..

It is high time for Sri Lankan authorities to conduct an investigation to find out the shortcomings and take necessary remedial measures, a group of senior officials suggested to the government recently.

No suitable methodology has been introduced by the responsible parties to monitor the prices of items sold at Duty Free shops at the airport.

Therefore, it has been observed that the prices are determined on the discretion of the shop owners.

Due to non-recovery of custom duties for the items sold at these shops, the government has incurred a great loss in tax revenue.

Furthermore, there was no proper methodology to confirm that the benefit of the tax relief goes to the air travellers.

There were instances where no proper supervision made by responsible parties on duty free foreign liquor shops established at the Colombo Port, Katunayaka Airport and State Trading Corporation.

Under such circumstances, it has been pointed out by the government audit regarding the influx of duty free foreign alcohol to the open market and the effect caused to the tax revenue to be recovered by the government on local alcohol. However, no proper action has been taken to rectify the situation.

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