Rewards for alert customs officers

Irangika Range, Sandasen Marasinghe and Disna Mudalige

Sri Lanka customs officers were granted rewards and allowances totalling Rs 649.5 million in 2009 alone for seizing illegal items, according to an answer to an oral question tabled by Chief Government whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The amount in 2008 was over Rs 614.5 million. The rewards and allowances were granted for decting persons who exported or imported illegal items, items without licences, banned items, items without owners using fraudulent names and outdated items.

The oral question was raised by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara.