• Proposal submitted to committee chair

Opposition members of the Parliamentary Committee probing the release of 323 containers from the Colombo Harbour without mandatory physical inspection have formally requested that several high-ranking officials be summoned to give evidence.

The committee has been tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the release of the containers, which were not subjected to required inspections, and to present its findings, recommendations, and proposals.

In a written proposal submitted to the committee, Opposition MPs have called for the appearance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. They have also requested that former Ports Minister Bimal Rathnayake be summoned, as he held the portfolio during the period in question.

Additionally, the Opposition has sought testimony from Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, who served as Deputy Ports Minister at the time, as well as the then Secretary to the Finance Ministry.

The request was made in a letter signed by Opposition MPs Ajith P. Perera, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Mujibur Rahman, and D.V. Chanaka, all of whom serve on the committee. The letter has been addressed to the committee’s chairperson, Justice Minister and attorney Harshana Nanayakkara.

The committee was scheduled to meet in Parliament yesterday afternoon (21), where a decision on whether to summon the requested witnesses was expected. According to MP Perera, the matter was to be taken up for consideration during the session.