News
VIPs/VVIPs now have to undergo Customs checks
By Hemantha Randunu
The Customs has begun checking the baggage of those who come into the country, through the VIP and VVIP gates, with effect from 23 May.Customs officials said that all politicians, and diplomats, too, will be checked. Hitherto all those tagged as VIP/VVIP have escaped hardly any scrutiny by Customs or by any other authority.
Puttalam District MP Ali Sabri Raheem was arrested with three and a half kilos of gold and 74 mobile phones earlier this week, while entering the country, through a VIP/VVIP gate.
Customs officials intensified checking those who come in through these gates, following the incident.On 23 May they arrested another person who brought in electrical items, illegally through the VIP/VVIP gate.
Customs officials said these VVIPs were bringing in a lot of contraband into Sri Lanka, over the years.Customs officials said they have been instructed by their headquarters to check all who come through the VIP/VVIP gate, irrespective of who they are.
Following the conclusion of bilateral discussions between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, official-level talks between the delegations of Sri Lanka and India commenced this morning (05) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Anil Jayantha; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.
The Indian delegation included Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, along with several other senior officials of the Government of India.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake on Friday [04] night, visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (05).
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a state visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming the theme “Friendship of Centuries — Commitment to a Prosperous Future” which symbolises the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and India. The Indian Premier is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (06).
[PMD]
The official welcoming ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held this morning (05) at the Independence Square in Colombo.
On arrival at the Independence Square the Indian Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian delegations at the presidential secretariat
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Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrives at the presidential secretariat
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