Customs detect seven illegally imported vehicles

Uditha Kumarasinghe

COLOMBO: The Revenue Task Force of the Customs Department yesterday detected seven luxury vehicles worth over Rs.30 million fraudulently imported to Sri Lanka as used vehicle parts and luggage.

These vehicles have been packed in four containers imported from Japan, England and Dubai, Assistant Director of Customs Mali Piyasena told the Daily News yesterday.

Had they been released, the Government would have lost millions of rupees in duties and taxes. The seven seized vehicles include five Mitsubishi Pajero jeeps, one Toyota Grand Cabin van and another luxury Toyota car.

Piyasena said the owners of four of these vehicles have been identified while the other three vehicles have been imported by presenting forged documents.

The Customs will conduct an inquiry on these vehicles imported in an illegal manner. The Customs will also inform international authorities about this vehicle racket, he said.