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Probe on customs sold confiscated ’Hummer’ to same importer at undervalue: Minister
It was revealed in Parliament today that a Rs. 40 million worth Hummer vehicle which was seized by the customs Department has been sold at an auction to the same person who illegally imported it for lesser than 33% of the estimated value.
State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said he had called for a report over the incident.
The Minister said this in response to a question raised by Parliamentarian Vasudewa Nanayakkara.
The Minister said the Hummer had been estimated by the Customs as Rs. 40 million and that it had been sold at an auction by the Customs tender board for Rs. 27.5 million.
"The tender board has no authority to auction a confiscated vehice 10% below the estimated value. I have called for a report within two weeks as to how it was auctioned below the estimated value to the same person who imported it illegally," he said.
In response to the question, the Minister said a Lamborghini, a Rolls Royce and two Hummers had been imported to Sri Lanka illegally in February 2022 despite the ban on vehicle imports.
He said those vehicles were confiscated by the Customs and auctioned for Rs. 1,503 million and added that one Hummer had been sold to the same importer far below the estimated value.(Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)
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