Customs Media Spokesperson and Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda has stated that there is no truth to the accusations regarding the controversial set of containers specifically container 323 allegedly released without proper inspection. Addressing the media, he clarified that the contents were thoroughly documented and that no illegal items were onboard.
“These containers carried industrial raw materials such as plastics, yarn, chemicals, auto parts, animal feed, machinery, pesticides, cement, iron pipes, fertilizers, and timber,” Arukgoda said, adding that they were mainly imported from India and China, along with shipments from Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Switzerland, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.
Arukgoda emphasized that Sri Lanka Customs followed due procedure. “Every container was cleared based on thorough checks of import documents and declarations made by the importers,” he said. “The method we used for their release gives us reasonable confidence that these consignments matched what was officially declared.”
In response to claims suggesting the containers may have contained contraband such as drugs, gold, or weapons, Arukgoda dismissed them as baseless. “Those are serious allegations. But we are confident in the transparency of our process and in our internal checks.”
Acknowledging the public and political scrutiny surrounding the matter, Arukgoda announced that Sri Lanka Customs is undertaking a post-clearance audit. “Our post-clearance division has already begun an investigation to review everything again,” he said.
He also revealed that an independent high-level committee appointed by the Finance Ministry Secretary has been conducting a comprehensive inquiry. “All customs officers involved in this process, including the Director General, have presented their evidence before the committee,” he confirmed. “Moreover, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has also been provided with all relevant documentation.”
Importantly, Arukgoda stressed that there was no external influence or pressure in the container release process. “There was absolutely no directive from any individual or political authority. I say this with utmost confidence and responsibility.”
As speculation continues in the public sphere and among lawmakers, Sri Lanka Customs says it is prepared to present a complete report, affirming that all protocols were followed and that nothing unlawful occurred with container 323 or any of the other released shipments.
