FinMin asked to provide US$ 50mn to clear over 800 containers stuck in port

• Containers carrying goods violating import controls to be confiscated

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has advised the Finance Ministry to provide US$ 50 million immediately to shippers to get over 800 containers stuck in the Colombo Port released.

The containers, which were said to be carrying essential goods, have been stuck in the port due to the ongoing foreign exchange liquidity crisis, State Minister of Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection, Lasantha Alagiyawanna revealed. 

The decision was taken at the Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting on Cost of Living headed by the Prime Minister Rajapaksa. The Cabinet of Ministers was informed of this decision on Monday.

Although, there are currently around 800 containers stuck in the port, Alagiyawanna at the Cabinet media briefing yesterday noted that a portion of them carry imports, which were brought to the country violating import controls.

 “The containers, which were imported violating regulations, will be confiscated and released to Lanka Sathosa,” he stressed.

However, Alagiyawanna didn’t respond to the queries by media on the process  as to how these foreign exchange would be released to clear the containers.