Clarifications and corrections

Cigarette smuggling racket bared

With respect to our news item with the above title which appeared in the Daily News, July 22, 2009, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka has sent in the following clarification:

Firstly, the article gives the false impression that the Green Channel facility the BOI conferred to investors is widely abused. This facility is only granted to leading enterprises who maintain very high standards of integrity and transparency in their dealings and activities. That is why the BOI granted to the Company in question Green Channel status on September 15, 2006.

Secondly, it is the enterprise itself that took the initiative to inform the Customs Department in writing on February 23, 2009 that they had received a consignment that they had not ordered in the first instance.

Thirdly, it is the BOI that initiated the investigation.

It is this action on the part of the BOI which precipitated the Customs Dept. to begin the investigation and take necessary action.