Sri Lanka Customs today (16) informed the Court of Appeal that vehicles currently held by the department due to importation from countries other than those specified in the letters of credit may be released under certain conditions.

Around 15 fundamental rights petitions filed by vehicle importers seeking orders for the release of these vehicles were taken up today before the Court of Appeal.

The petitions were heard before a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.

Appearing on behalf of Sri Lanka Customs, Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena informed the court that the vehicles in question could be released upon submission of either a corporate or personal bond by the importers.

The Additional Solicitor General further stated that once the additional fees payable to Sri Lanka Customs are settled, permission would be granted to register the vehicles.

Representing one group of petitioners, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha argued that vehicles imported in this manner had previously been released by Sri Lanka Customs, and questioned the basis on which the department was now acting differently.

He also requested the court to summon a list of previously released vehicles under similar circumstances.

President’s Counsel Musthapha further contended that if the petitioners succeed in this case, the 35% surcharge currently imposed on importers should be refundable.

Representing another group of petitioners, President’s Counsels Ikram Mohamed and Sanjeeva Jayawardena requested the court to schedule a future date to explore the possibility of reaching a settlement in the case.

Accordingly, the Court of Appeal ordered the petitions to be taken up again on the 22nd of October to decide on the possibility of a settlement. (Newswire)

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The Bribery Commission has been instructed to immediately arrest and produce in court those involved in the illegal imports of luxury vehicles after 2015 that had caused a loss of over Rs. 50 billion in duties to Sri Lanka Customs.

It is reported that Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage had instructed the Bribery Commission yesterday not to stop at only seizing the vehicles, but to also arrest those who had been involved in the illegal imports.

The court order was issued after the judge had studied the facts presented by the Bribery Commission, which claimed that among the 200 illegally imported vehicles only 20 had been returned thus far. 

A Mitsubishi Jeep valued at Rs. 60 million, that had been seized by Bribery Commission officials, had also been produced in court yesterday.

The court was informed that even though the owner of the vehicle had been instructed by the judiciary to hand over the vehicle to the government on September 18, he had concealed the vehicle.

Bribery Commission officials had only been able to seize the vehicle after having obtained a court order for its seizure. 

Considering the facts, the Colombo Chief Magistrate pointed out that it was the responsibility of the Bribery Commission to apprehend those who intentionally caused losses to the government and instructed such individuals to be arrested immediately. 

The Bribery Commission had launched a probe into 200 luxury vehicles illegally imported after 2015 and had been registered as ordinary vehicles imported before 2015 by providing false data to the Motor Traffic Department. (Newswire)

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