The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) lodged a formal complaint with the Bribery Commission on Monday (02) over the release of 323 red-flagged containers that were allegedly cleared without undergoing any customs inspection.
The complaint was lodged by Shirantha Jayalath, Cultural Affairs Secretary of the PHU.
“According to a media statement issued by the Director General of Customs on January 29, 2025, 323 containers were released from the port without proper inspection under instructions from Minister Bimal Rathnayake.
Minister Rathnayake, who chairs the ministerial subcommittee tasked with resolving container congestion, is accused of ordering the illegal clearance of these containers belonging to the Sri Lanka Customs under the Ministry of Finance, directly under the President’s office.
The unauthorized release of red-flagged containers which could have contained firearms, narcotics, child medicines, and other illicit goods, raises serious concerns about illegal imports entering the country, as highlighted by the Customs Trade Unions Federation.
The Federation also expressed justified suspicions that the recent surge in shootings since January may be linked to the presence of weapons among these containers.
Therefore, we call for a thorough investigation and prompt legal action against the unlawful directive by Minister Rathnayake to release these red-flagged containers.” Jayalath said.
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