Illegally imported milk powder Six containers detained at Colombo Port: Siyambalapitiya

•  There is no possibility of a milk powder shortage in the market due to this incident
• The stock of full cream milk powder had been imported in six containers under open account system
• The stock of milk powder has been imported as raw material for chocolate and ready made milk tea 

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera   

Some 153,375 kgs of milk powder imported by a certain company from New Zealand violating import and export regulations have been detained at the Colombo Port for more than 25 days, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said yesterday. 

He told Parliament that the Company had imported the stock of full cream milk powder in six containers under open account system.  

Making a ministerial statement, he said it was revealed from custom investigations that the stock of milk powder has been imported as raw material for chocolate and ready made milk tea whereas milk powder import as raw material has been suspended  

He said milk powder import was permitted under open account system for direct consumption and added that this Company had imported the stock for raw material claiming to be imported for direct consumption.  The Minister said if the Company followed due procedures, the said stock would be released within a week or steps would be taken to dispose it.  He said there is no possibility of a milk powder shortage in the market due to this incident.