Govt. to gradually increase goods detained by SL Customs

• Goods worth billions of rupees have been detained over the years for not fulfilling clearance regulations or imported illegally

By Sandun A. Jayasekera

The government is to gradually release thousands of vehicles, machinery, food and other goods detained by the Sri Lanka Customs worth billions of rupees over the years for not fulfilling clearance regulations or imported illegally, Cabinet Spokesman, Mass Media, Transport and Highways Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday.   

It has been observed that it takes a long time to complete the inspections, investigations and other related procedures carried out by the Sri Lanka Customs on the goods detained. As a result, there are many economic losses including damage and destruction of the  goods, so the existing procedures followed by the customs concerning the  said goods should be expedited, he stressed.

Accordingly, the Cabinet gave the green light to appoint a ministerial committee to study the matters and identify the amendments to be made to the Customs Ordinance if necessary and make necessary recommendations to set in motion a mechanism to clear all detained goods by the Sri Lanka Customs in a speedier and legally accepted procedure, Minister Dr. Gunawardana noted.  

 Other members of the ministerial sub-committee are Minister of Plantation and Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, State Minister of Investment Promotion, Dilum Amunugama and State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe.