Customs stumbles on 122 illegally imported vehicles declared as ‘Generator Parts’

By Prabhath Withana

Officials of the Customs Risk Management Unit on Tuesday (12) had taken into custody 12 illegally imported vehicles valued at over Rs. 55 million from Singapore using the name of a diplomatic officer, Customs spokesman Additional Customs Director General Sunil Jayaratne said.

 The consignment arrived in Sri Lanka in three 40-foot containers declared as ‘Generator Parts’ on the Bill of Lading (B/L) of the cargo.

The Cargo weight was declared as 12,140 kilos, said Sri Lanka Customs adding that the vehicles were imported by misusing the name of a High Commission officer.

One suspect was arrested, produced before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded till Jan 20.

The Customs Spokesman said it had duly informed the High Commission concerned regarding the illegal importation where the mission had in return informed the Customs that they had not imported such a consignment.

Further, investigations are being conducted by Customs Superintendents Mahinda Siriwardena and Nishantha Mirihagalla and Assistant Customs Superintendents Kelum Thushara, Indunil Bandara, Pasindu Madanayake, Pulasith Lakshan, Tharindu Parnamana under the supervision of Deputy Customs Director Sudath Silva, on the directions of Additional Customs Director General Ananda Eswaran and Customs Director D.A.S. Chandrasiri and on instructions of Customs Director General Maj. Gen. (retd) Vijtitha Ravipiriya.