News
Import of 102 container loads of rotten fish: Role played by Customs, etc., raised at COPE
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Department of Import and Export Control has said that it cannot confirm whether 98 container loads of rotten fish brought into the Colombo Port a couple of years ago had been used for producing fertiliser, as claimed by a local fertiliser manufacturer ,who also runs a canned fish factory.
This transpired recently when the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) questioned the Department of Import and Export Control over its failure to keep track of the massive stock of rotten fish that had been brought into the country on a request made to the Department by Customs on behalf of the fertiliser manufacturer.
State Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna chaired the meeting that was attended by MPs Prasanna Ranaweera, J. C. Alawathuwala, Ashok Abeysinghe, Isuru Dodangoda and Weerasumana Weerasinghe.
Officers of the Auditor General’s Department told the House committee that though the relevant authorities declared that 98 container loads of rotten fish had been allowed in, they believed that the total consignment consisted of 102 containers.
Expressing concern over the missing container loads of spoilt fish, the AG Department officials stressed that they couldn’t be sure of the use of spoilt fish for the intended purpose.
During the proceedings, the Department of Import and Export Control claimed that of the 98 container loads of spoilt fish, only 43 had been utilised in the manufacture of carbonic and the rest were to be re-exported. Of that unused lot, 15 container loads had been used to produce compost under the supervision of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) according to the Department of Import and Export Control.
However, the AG Department maintained that there was no way to ascertain the usage of the spoilt fish. The AG Department brought the operation of a canned fish manufacturing plant by the fertiliser producer prompting COPE Chairman lawmaker Alagiyawanna to summon all concerned, including the spoilt fish importer.
The COPE Chairman asked the Department of Import and Export Control to put in place a mechanism to ensure proper scrutiny of such imports.
The issue came up when the Department of Import and Export appeared before COPE on January 23 to explain its position with regard to the AGs reports on 2021 and 2022. The COPE was told how Customs, on behalf of a local fertiliser producer, sought to secure the entire consignment of spoilt fish after Thailand refused to accept that load.
A container carrier on its way to Thailand from Seychelles had lost its power due to a technical defect and their failure to rectify the problem resulted in the ruination of the entire stock, the COPE was told.However, the proceedings hadn’t shed light on how the importer dealt with the unused consignments.
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
Former IGP Chandana Deepal Wickramaratne died after sustaining a gunshot injury at his residence, in Thalangama, yesterday (17), with police saying preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was a suspected suicide.
Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa, on Friday, ordered the Officer-in-Charge of the Malabe Police Station, Police Inspector Pradeep Ranasinghe, to conduct a formal investigation into the death and submit a report to court on its progress.
The order was issued after the Malabe Police Station presented facts before court regarding the incident.
According to police, the Malabe Police Station received information from the Police Unit of the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, that Wickramaratne, who resided in the Thalahena area, within the Malabe Police division, had died after being admitted to hospital, with gunshot injuries.
Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said Wickramaratne had allegedly used the firearm of his personal security officer and shot himself at his residence.
Police said the shooting had taken place at his residence on Parakum Road, Thalangama, on Thursday morning, before he was due to leave for his regular exercise routine. He was rushed to the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, with serious injuries but was pronounced dead upon admission, police said.
The deceased’s remains were placed at the Colombo East Base Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was scheduled to be conducted.
ASP Wootler said three police teams have been appointed to investigate the incident. Further investigations are being conducted by the Crime Division of the Western Province South Range and the Malabe Police Station.
Wickramaratne, 63, served as the 35th Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka from November 27, 2020, to November 23, 2023.
He joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1986 as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police and later served in several senior positions.
A graduate of the University of Colombo and the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, he also served as Acting IGP for more than a year, from April 28, 2019, before being appointed IGP, in November 2020.
He retired from the post of Inspector General of Police, in November 2023.
by Norman Palihawadane ✍️
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