Customs says anybody can appeal for their forfeited goods

Customs Chief’s order revoking forfeiture of gold jewellery on MP Vajira Abeywardena’s request

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

In the backdrop of a controversial letter circulating on social media about the Customs Chief’s revoking of forfeiture of  seized gold jewellery on a request by MP Vajira Abeywardena, the Customs  yesterday said anybody could make an appeal directly or indirectly to  the Customs regarding any forfeiture of goods.   

    An official letter issued by the Customs Director General  dated May 03, 2023, addressed to the Director of Customs in charge of the  Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) states the details of Customs  Case No: BIA/Case/011/2023 and Appeal No: Cus/App/11/2023.   

The letter states that it was in reference to an appeal  dated February 27, 2023, made to the former Minister of Internal Affairs  Vajira Abeywardena against the inquiry order in the mentioned Customs  case.   

The letter further states, “Upon Appeal Committee  recommendations, I hereby set aside the previous forfeiture order given  by the Supervising Officer by virtue of powers vested in me under the  provisions of Section 2 of the Customs Ordinance.   

I also, hereby order to release the gold jewellery on  recovery of applicable taxes prevailed at the time of the seizure.  Please take necessary actions required to comply with this order and  report to the DC (Appeal) of the same once the required actions are  taken, in order to finalize the appeal process regarding this appeal,”  the letter was undersigned by Customs DG P.B.S.C Nonis.   

When contacted, Customs Spokesman Senior Director Sudaththa  Silva told the Daily Mirror yesterday that there was no such  pressurizing or influence made on the Customs Chief by MP Abeywardena, but the latter had made a formal appeal.   

The said case was related to a female returning to the  country in February who was intercepted by the Customs at the BIA  Arrival Terminal for trying to smuggle in six gold bangles and two gold  chains, which were said to be worth over Rs.15 million.   
At the Customs inquiry, it was decided that the female has  brought the goods unlawfully and the goods were ordered to be forfeited  with a fine of Rs.100,000.   
The said female had however brought the matter to MP  Abeywardena afterwards and the MP had reportedly brought it to the  notice of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the Minister of Finance.   

Following a direction of the President, MP Abeywardena had  made an appeal to the Customs DG about the gold jewellery and the case  was referred to the Customs Appeal Committee by the latter, Sudaththa  Silva said.   

With the recommendations of the Customs Appeal Committee  the Customs Chief had ordered the release of the gold jewellery back  to its owner subject to the fact that its due taxes are paid.   

The spokesperson said that anybody could make an appeal to  the Customs DG if they feel the order given at a Customs inquiry was not  fair by them and there’s a due process to regain the seized or  forfeited goods.