Operational centre to control import of dangerous substances

Sandasen Marasinghe, Irangika Range and Disna Mudalige

International Monitory Cooperation Senior Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama stated yesterday that measures will be taken to set up an operational centre with modern equipment to control the import of dangerous substances to the country.

He made this observation in Parliament in response to a statement made by DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake in connection with two containers of ethanol imported to the country illegally.

Deputy Minister Amunugama stated that legal action will be taken against the importers of the 66,150 litres of ethanol of the strength of 96 percent seized on March 13 by the customs.

He said that the importers of the consignment of ethanol would come to the customs on March 19. He said the samples of the ethanol spirit have been sent to the Government Analyst for investigation.

The Deputy Minister stated that the customs investigated the containers on a tip off.

The two containers were scanned on March 12 and were brought to the customs Greyline 2 yard at Thotalanga.

On March 16, the containers were sealed with the support of the excise officers.

The customs central investigation bureau is investigating.

DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake made the statement under standing order 23(2).

MP Dissanayake stated that the two containers of ethanol worth Rs 110 million should have been brought by a liquor producer of massive scale. The two containers had 315 barrels each contained 210 litres of ethanol. The volume of the ethanol was 96 percent although 80 percent volume spirit is allowed to be imported. Importers had attempted to mislead the customs by stating the containers had a consignment of ready-made garments.

He questioned as to what steps would be taken against the importers who are absconding the authorities.