Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman alleged that several irregularities had been identified in the report on the controversial release of 323 containers by Sri Lanka Customs earlier this year.

Speaking in Parliament, Rahman referenced the investigation report, which claimed the containers were released to ease congestion at Customs and port facilities. However, he said the report noted that the move represented a clear departure from established Customs policy.

“The actual number of containers released on January 18, 2025 was 309 according to this report, although it was said that 323 containers were released,” Rahman said.

The report also included a statement from Additional Customs Director General Seevali Arukgoda, who was assigned to monitor a three-member committee appointed to look into the incident. Rahman said only one committee member was present during the inspection, with Arukgoda acting in both roles—as a committee member and as the monitoring officer.

“The Director General of Customs has appointed this committee to release red containers following their inspections,” he said.

Rahman said the Customs risk management policy requires red label containers to be scanned and physically inspected; yellow label containers to be scanned and sample tested; and green label containers to undergo only document checks.

“This committee had only been authorised to release red label containers, not yellow ones,” he said. “But what has happened? The committee has released 158 yellow containers which had to be scanned and samples obtained. Meanwhile, 37 red label containers have been released without scanning out of 151 containers. This is where the doubt springs. Can you say that this doubt is unjustified?” He questioned.

In February, the Ministry of Finance appointed a separate committee, chaired by Deputy Treasury Secretary A.K. Senaviratne, to investigate the release of the containers without proper customs inspection. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harshana Rajakaruna has lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over the release of 323 containers without inspection, alleging a significant loss of government tax revenue.

Rajakaruna questioned the identities of those behind the containers and whether they belonged to businessmen linked to the government. He also raised concerns about national security, suggesting that without proper checks, the containers could have contained illegal drugs or weapons.

His remarks follow claims by the Customs Trade Union Alliance that 323 red-alert containers, which were flagged for mandatory inspection, were cleared without proper checks.

When asked if his complaint was directed at the Western Province Governor, Rajakaruna stated that his concern was about whether the government was favouring its allies.

Rajakaruna called for a full investigation into the matter, hinting at a possible conspiracy. (Newswire)

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