Vehicle import duty scam:

Legal action against importer

Chaminda PERERA

Customs officials investigating into massive scam carried out by a vehicle importer in Colombo 6 said the Assistant General Manageress of the company was produced before the Colombo Magistrate after a series of probes carried out by them.

Customs officials said they are being influenced by certain elements within the Department and outside to stop the investigations. According to Customs Superintendent Dayawansa Senerath, this vehicle importer was found importing vehicles to Sri Lanka illegally in 2002.

Thirteen cars imported by him in the same year was also confiscated by Customs.

He said the Department fined over Rs 2 million to the company for undervaluing items imported by them in 2008 but they have paid only Rs 500,000 and the balance has not yet been paid.

Instead they have filed an appeal against the court order . Senerath said this importer has already brought Smart Vigo cabs to Sri Lanka from Thailand and a special investigation has been initiated into this import.

He said this importer is going to sell these vehicles to a third party to evade Customs penalty.

The importer has sent over Rs. 20 million to China through a trader in Pettah to evade Customs duty. Customs officials are also investigating into this transaction.

Investigations are being carried out on the direct supervision of Director General of Customs Sarath Jayathilake and Valuation Director W.A. Chandradasa.