BoI company involved :

Customs seize two containers consisting of illegally imported stuff

A Sumanasena Kollonnawa Group Correspondent

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday seized two containers consisting of shoes, cheese and perfume which were brought to the country illegally. The value of the total consignment exceeds Rs 20 million.

These containers have been imported by a BoI company involved in the garment export industry on duty free concessions. This company has been carrying out this scam for years providing false information to the BoI.

According to Customs Director Mali Piyasena, the company has imported two containers last January. The Company management has informed the Department that it has no involvement in the import the two containers in which no raw materials were found for the garment manufacture. The company said one of their officials was responsible for importing these containers and this officer should personally be held responsible for importing them.

It is alleged that the entire management of the company was well aware of these imports and they have shedded their responsibility after the containers were detected by the Customs. The Customs officials have questioned two individuals who were involved in the importation of the two containers and one individual has been brought before the Colombo Magistrate. He was released on bail by the Magistrate.

Investigations are conducted by the Customs officials led by Customs Director Mali Piyasena on the directive of Customs Director General Jagath Wijeweera.