The main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) demanded that the Government conduct a probe into the release of 323 containers through the Colombo Port without subjecting them to the relevant inspection processes, expressing that releasing containers with unverified content could pose a threat to society.

Speaking at a press briefing held by the SJB yesterday (29), former SJB Western Provincial Councillor Niroshan Padukka said: “There is a question as to what was released through these 323 containers, whether it was arms, medicines, illegal goods, drugs, or luxury goods,” and added that several owners of containers that were among the 323 containers had been fined on previous occasions. 

He pointed out that in addition to this being a violation of the relevant Customs laws, there is also a question about uncollected tax. Padukka further said that red notices had been issued on close to 100 containers of the 323 containers in question, which he said means that they should have been mandatorily inspected. Although the Government has said that it takes responsibility for the released containers, the risk that they can pose should be taken into account. “Releasing 323 containers without any inspection has caused a massive financial loss,” he alleged, urging President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to issue a statement about the incident and that legal action be taken against the Customs officials whom he said had acted against the Customs Ordinance.

The release of the 323 containers without being subjected to inspection took place in a context where the Port was facing prolonged congestion and delayed release of goods consignments.