Illegal cigarettes smoked into electricity at waste-to-energy facility

In a joint effort between Sri Lanka Customs, Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC, and Western Power Company (Pvt) Ltd—a subsidiary of Aitken Spence PLC—two large consignments of illicit cigarettes were securely destroyed at Western Power’s Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Plant in Kerawalapitiya, the only facility of its kind in Sri Lanka.

The first destruction event, held on 11 September 2025, involved 1,680 kilograms of illegal cigarettes, estimated at 2 million sticks with a market value exceeding LKR 274 million. The consignment was completely incinerated using advanced waste-to-energy technology, generating over 714 kilowatt-hours of electricity that was fed into the national grid.

The second event handled 7,260 kilograms of illicit cigarettes, or approximately 5.5 million sticks, with an estimated market value of LKR 852 million. This shipment was also destroyed using the same irreversible incineration process, producing over 2,870 kilowatt-hours of electricity for the national grid.

Through these initiatives, the plant not only ensures the complete and environmentally safe disposal of seized contraband but also contributes to green energy generation and law enforcement efforts to combat illicit trade.

Leel Wickremarachchi, Managing Director of the Aitken Spence Power Sector, stated: “By safely incinerating this consignment, we not only helped prevent a significant loss to state revenue but also contributed to sustainable energy production.”