News
Customs cleared thousands of ‘marked’ containers sans examination beginning last year
Unions push for DG’s removal, oppose IMF-led anti-corruption plan
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Sri Lanka Customs had cleared thousands of containers, sans examinations, since early last year, though the issue came to light recently as a result of the continuing campaign by unions against the top management, sources familiar with the issue told The Island.
Thee Customs began clearing containers that were marked for examination during President Ranil Wickremesinghe tenure to overcome congestion at the Colombo Port.
The Customs had adopted the controversial strategy early last year to ease congestion, sources said. Clearing of containers had been carried out intermittently during this period, including the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections in September and November, respectively.
Stricter internal controls have led to a sharp increase in revenue, with a record collection of over Rs 1 trillion in 2024, compared to the previous year’s Rs 975 bn, sources said.
At one point, amidst the further deterioration of relations between the top management and the unions, the latter had asked the government to remove the Director General of Customs, Sarath Nonis, who received the top post in late July 2022, at the beginning of Ranil Wickremesinghe’s presidency. However, the government hadn’t succumbed to pressure in spite of their own pushing for the changes at the top.
Customs unions, affiliated to the JVP, spearheaded the campaign meant to undermine efforts taken by the top management to enhance revenue as they felt the IMF-led programme hindered their agenda, sources said. For want of a comprehensive coverage of the developments taking place, interested parties influenced the reportage of congestion at the Colombo Port, conveniently not identifying who caused the crisis.
Following the activation of the investigation process that allowed the public to lodge complaints with a special unit, the internal inquiry resulted in the interdiction of four Customs officers.
Both President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake have been briefed on the developing situation, sources said, alleging that the relevant House committee should inquire into the circumstances where thousands of containers had been released without examination.
Sources stressed that the containers released over the past several months were those categorised for examination. The containers so categorised had been approximately 40% of the total containers cleared, sources said, disclosing as much as 60% of containers were exempted from examination.
The containers categorized ‘red’ were meant to be physically checked and the main Opposition has asked whether the NPP government interfered in the selection of the released containers.
During 2020 the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has assured funding for the establishment of a container yard at Kerawalapitiya. However, the government failed to implement the plan in 2022, thereby paving the way for the present crisis, sources said, appreciating the decision taken by the incumbent government to reactivate the Kerawalapitiya plan.
Sources said that the failure on the part of the government to resolve issues at the Colombo harbour could have catastrophic results. Over the years, successive governments lacked the courage to rein in unions affiliated to various political parties, sources said.
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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