Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara has clarified the circumstances surrounding the detention of 39 drones brought from Singapore, insisting that the items were legally declared to Sri Lanka Customs and were intended for his son’s business.
Addressing the media, Bandara said he and his wife had travelled to Singapore and returned to Sri Lanka with a consignment of small camera drones and microphones for a business operated by his son.
He explained that his son had established a business involved in renting and selling camera drones and related equipment.
Bandara said the company already possessed several required approvals, including clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, but lacked the necessary approval from the Ministry of Defence.
“The only issue was that we did not have the proper Ministry of Defence approval,” he said.
The MP strongly rejected suggestions that he had attempted to smuggle the equipment into the country.
“We did not bring these goods illegally or without declaring them. We declared everything to Customs. The items were detained because certain required approvals were incomplete,” he said.
Bandara explained that a misunderstanding regarding an existing document had led them to believe the necessary Defence Ministry clearance had already been obtained.
He expressed regret over the misunderstanding and said steps were being taken to secure the outstanding approval.
The MP also clarified that the equipment consisted of small camera drones intended for commercial purposes, rejecting speculation linking the items to military drones.
Bandara said his son’s company had previously imported similar equipment through both air and sea cargo.
He added that he had already visited Customs and submitted the available documents, while officials had requested the remaining approval before releasing the consignment.
According to Bandara, the necessary documentation would be completed within the next few days, allowing the equipment to be released after payment of applicable duties.
The MP also defended his son’s business activities, saying he was pleased that his son had established and was operating his own business.
Earlier, Customs Spokesperson Chandana Punchihewa confirmed that 39 drones brought into the country by the MP had been detained pending the submission of required regulatory approvals. (Newswire)