The Container Transport Owners Association alleges that a congestion has once again been reported at the Colombo Port, due to a delay in clearance, urging the President to intervene to resolve the issue.

Addressing the media, a representative of the Association said that this has resulted in at least 500 goods-transporting lorries being parked at the port for over a week. 

“It has been reported that there is a lack of space at the Inspection Unit and a shortage of officials as well. There is a shortage of staff from state entities, including Sri Lanka Customs, while some officials of other state institutions are not working their 24-hour shifts. These factors have severely impacted the current situation,” he said. 

The Container Transport Owners Association representative further alleged that the Sri Lanka Customs has failed to facilitate the car park for goods-transporting vehicles that had been established and handed over per a Cabinet decision to resolve the persisting congestion at the Colombo Port.

“To date, not a single vehicle has been allowed to park there. The authorities have failed to take the necessary action to implement this service. A group of security officials are now seen standing guard over an empty plot of land,” he said. 

The Container Transport Owners Association representative questioned whether these officials were beyond the President and the President’s Secretary, adding that it was evident that these officials were against the government’s efforts to curtail corruption. 

He called on the President to immediately intervene and provide a solution to this issue. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) has refuted claims that personnel had been recruited to the Sri Lanka Army, without following the procedure of clearance.

Responding to a question raised by a reporter, the Deputy Defence Minister said that the armed forces have a procedure to follow for recruitment and that no person has been recruited bypassing the system.

Questioned on the involvement of military personnel in underworld activities, the Deputy Minister said military personnel are required to be officially discharged and that steps are being taken to arrest those who have gone on leave and not returned to service. 

He further said measures are being taken to address the issue of the misuse of firearms and the involvement of military personnel in underworld activities.

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara assured there was no threat to national security, adding that measures have been taken to ensure public safety.

He made the remarks in response to questions raised by the media related to the recent courthouse shooting and other shooting incidents in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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