President to determine action on container controversy after reviewing committee findings: Bimal

Wednesday, 2 July 2025 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake

Minister Bimal Rathnayake acknowledges Committee findings on shortcomings by Sri Lanka Customs officials
Pledges disciplinary and legal action over container release controversy
Dismisses Opposition accusations as politically motivated and baseless

Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake yesterday said President Anura Kumara Disanayake would make the final call on appropriate measures regarding the 309 container controversy after reviewing the committee’s conclusions. “Some key factors were found through this committee. One is a shortcoming or mistake on the Sri Lanka Customs side. Based on the findings of the committee report, the subject Minister and Ministry Secretary will take the necessary actions,” he told the media following an inspection visit at the Colombo Central Bus Stand.

The Minister acknowledged that the President-appointed committee had uncovered misconduct related to inspection on the part of Sri Lanka Customs officials and pledged disciplinary and legal action against those bureaucrats.

“Legal action will be taken against officials found to have committed serious offences for the controversial release of the 309 containers earlier this year,” he added.

On Monday, the main Opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman tabled the Customs inquiry report on release of high-risk containers in Parliament, alleging the Government was concealing the findings of a critical investigation warning that failures to follow mandatory scanning procedures for high-risk cargo could have jeopardised the country’s security, revenue and public health (https://www.ft.lk/news/Mujibur%C2%A0tables-Customs-inquiry-report-on-release-of-high-risk-containers/56-778428).

However, Rathnayake dismissed the Opposition’s accusations as politically motivated and based on baseless allegations and rumours.