The Government-appointed committee probing the controversial release of 323 imported containers without full Customs inspection is expected to publish its findings within the next two weeks, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said yesterday (7).
The committee, appointed by the Ministry of Finance, is chaired by Treasury Deputy Secretary A.K. Seneviratne.
Its membership includes Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Additional Secretary S.B. Jayasundara, Department of Trade and Investment Policies Director General M.K.P. Kumara, Department of Management Audit Director General A.P. Kurumbalapitiya, and Customs Senior Director Sapumal Jayasundara.
“The committee is currently in the process of recording statements from all relevant parties and gathering evidence. Once the investigation is complete, the report will contain full details on the consignees, the goods involved, the quantities, and all official statements. We will then be able to proceed with any necessary action,” Kodithuwakku said.
Responding to allegations raised in Parliament, including claims that the containers may have carried weapons once linked to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, Kodithuwakku dismissed the accusations as being politically motivated and unsubstantiated.
“We have asked those making these accusations, especially MP Ramanathan Archchuna, who spoke of weapons being smuggled, to come forward and provide evidence to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). If such claims are true and they withhold that information, it amounts to treason,” he said.
According to the Deputy Minister, the containers were released following Customs protocol adapted to handle heavy congestion at the port. He explained that physical inspections typically followed container scanning, but due to capacity constraints, inspections were limited to those flagged with a significant number of “grey areas” by the scanning algorithm.
“If the scan flags around 10 grey areas, then the container is subjected to physical inspection. If only one or two minor concerns are flagged, it is classified as low risk and cleared. This isn’t a new practice; it was even used during Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure,” he said.
Kodithuwakku said Customs officers were overwhelmed by the volume of containers and decisions were made to expedite clearance while adhering to operational procedures.
He accused critics of politicising the matter and shifting narratives. “First, they targeted Governor Hanif Yusuf. Now they are moving in different directions without any consistent claim. Even when we present facts, they refuse to accept them,” he noted.
In addition to the ministerial probe, the CID is conducting a separate, independent investigation. The Ministry of Finance has also launched a parallel inquiry led by one of its additional secretaries.
Customs Spokesperson and Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda stated that the Customs could not make a statement pending the inquiry.
“All the information has been shared with the requisite committees, but I will only be permitted to speak once the report is out. Once the report is released, perhaps next week, feel free to ask any question on relevant matters,” he said.