More than six weeks have passed since the Finance Ministry appointed a special committee to investigate the controversial release of 323 containers of imported goods without undergoing customs inspection. However, the committee has not yet completed its investigation nor submitted its report, according to customs sources.
Customs officials explained that the investigation is highly complex and detailed, thus any accusations of deliberate delays by the committee would be unfair. They emphasized that the magnitude and sensitivity of the issue require thorough scrutiny, causing the investigation process to move slowly.
In addition to probing the irregular release of the 323 containers, the committee is also tasked with examining the delays in releasing containers at the Colombo Port. In January, thousands of containers were stuck at the port, causing significant disruptions and raising suspicions of deliberate sabotage.
The committee, led by Deputy Treasury Secretary A.K. Seneviratne, includes Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation E.M.S.B. Jayasundara, Director General of the Department of Trade and Investment Policy M.K.P. Kumara, Director General of the Department of Management Audit A.P. Kurumbalapitiya, and Senior Director of Customs Sapumal Jayasundara.
Opposition parties have repeatedly alleged that the containers released without inspection belong to individuals linked to the government. Western Province Governor Hanif Yusuf, accused by some opposition members of involvement, has denied the allegations and filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Mujibur Rahman highlighted the issue in Parliament during the recent budget debate on the expenditure head of the Finance Ministry, expressing concern over the lack of transparency regarding ownership of the released containers.
Rahman emphasized the necessity for the current National People’s Power government, while releasing lists of irregularities committed under previous administrations, to be equally prompt in exposing alleged fraud occurring under its own watch.
