Sri Lanka Customs Director Chandana Punchihewa has defended the inspection and release of two controversial containers found in Middeniya, insisting they are not part of the notorious 323 uninspected containers. But as questions swirl about talc powder imports, porous stones, and possible hidden substances, the final truth now hinges on a pending laboratory report.
Sri Lanka Customs has come under intense public scrutiny yet again, as suspicions mount over two containers seized in the Middeniya area. While many allege that they are connected to the infamous 323 containers that were released from the port without proper checks, Director of Customs Chandana Punchihewa has firmly rejected these claims. Speaking on Derana Channel, he clarified that the containers in question underwent full inspections before being cleared, unlike the 323 containers, which were released without any examination.
“The two containers found in Middeniya are not part of the 323 containers that were released earlier. Those containers were sent without inspection, but these were carefully checked before clearance,” Punchihewa said. He added that even the police have confirmed these two containers are unrelated to the 323 containers that remain under investigation.
According to Punchihewa, the two containers had arrived in Sri Lanka in December 2024 but had remained unclaimed for months due to confusion about ownership. Initially, the company listed as the importer denied responsibility for the cargo, leading to ownership being transferred multiple times. Eventually, by the end of January this year, the containers were cleared.
At the time of clearance, Customs officers carried out a detailed inspection, and the goods were declared as “talc powder” and “talc stone.” Punchihewa explained that talc is a common import used in a wide range of industries, from baby powder and cosmetics to paint, polish, and other everyday products. He stressed that nothing unusual was detected during the inspection. However, he acknowledged that the core question is whether the inspection process itself was conducted to the highest standard.
Despite public suspicions, Customs insists that all duties for the goods were duly paid to the government. Since the declared value of the items was lower than market benchmarks, an additional duty was levied as well, ensuring that the government did not lose revenue.
Punchihewa also highlighted the role of specialized divisions in the inspection process. Both the Customs Narcotics Control Division and the Port Control Division were involved in handling the containers, working closely with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). “The Port Control Division has confirmed that they are awaiting the results of laboratory testing from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board,” he explained. “Once those results are in, a full report will be submitted to the Director General, and a copy will be given to me.”
He noted that the substance did not react to the standard field test kits used to detect drugs during the inspection. This finding temporarily ruled out the presence of narcotics, though suspicions remain about whether something could have been hidden inside the porous talc stones. Punchihewa himself raised this possibility, but admitted it was his personal assumption rather than a confirmed fact. “Since talc stone is light and porous, it is worth checking if something else may have been absorbed into it. But this is only my personal assumption. The truth will only be known after the lab report,” he stated.
The Customs Director’s remarks have sparked debate. On one hand, his firm clarification that these two containers were legally inspected provides some reassurance. On the other hand, his acknowledgment that porous talc stones could theoretically be used to conceal substances has only fueled public curiosity and suspicion.
The police have also entered the picture, with the Police Narcotics Division confirming that they issued a written statement stating no objection to the release of the containers after their own checks. However, the fact that suspicions remain even after clearance highlights the lack of trust in both Customs and law enforcement processes.
The controversy over these containers echoes wider concerns about Sri Lanka’s handling of imports, inspections, and narcotics control. The earlier scandal involving 323 containers released without inspection has already shaken public confidence. Linking the two issues, even if incorrect, reflects how fragile that trust has become. For critics, every container carries the shadow of corruption, smuggling, or negligence.
For Punchihewa and Customs, the stakes are high. If the lab results confirm that the containers contained nothing more than talc powder and talc stones, it will strengthen their defense. If, however, hidden substances are uncovered, it will raise serious questions about the effectiveness and integrity of the inspection process, and about whether officials knowingly or unknowingly allowed dangerous materials into the country.
The controversy also highlights how critical Customs revenue is for the state. Imports such as automobiles, fuel, and raw materials bring billions of rupees into government coffers, but they also provide avenues for misuse. Striking the balance between efficient clearance for trade and rigorous checks for contraband remains one of Sri Lanka’s greatest governance challenges.
Until the official laboratory report is released, the fate of the Middeniya containers remains in suspense. For now, Punchihewa is standing firm, denying any connection to the 323-container scandal and insisting that due process was followed. But with public confidence already eroded, suspicions will linger until independent scientific results provide clarity.
The case is a reminder that in Sri Lanka’s battle against smuggling and corruption, truth often arrives late, clouded by rumor, politics, and speculation. The wheel of accountability is turning slowly, but in a nation scarred by past scandals, the demand for transparency has never been louder.
