Mujibur tables Customs inquiry report on release of high-risk containers

SJB MP Mujibur Rahman alleges Govt. hiding failures of SL Customs, despite security, revenue and health risks Reveals 309 high-risk “red” containers released without mandatory inspection, violating Customs procedures Report questions justification despite Customs’ claims of congestion-prompted releases Since July 2024, 999 red-classified containers released on 13 occasions without proper screening or follow-up Committee notes Customs management exceeds legal authority by bypassing required inspections Among flagged containers, 114 show scan uncertainties but are released anyway Report recommends internal investigations and accountability for Customs officers involved Committee suggests halting current container release system, conducting post-audits, using Al scanning and performing forensic audit Rahman warns repeated failures undermine Customs’ fundamental role in protecting Sri Lanka

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THE main Opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman yesterday alleged the Government was concealing the findings of a critical Customs inquiry, warning that failures to follow mandatory scanning procedures for high-risk cargo could have jeopardised the country's security, revenue, and public health.

Speaking in Parliament, he charged that the administration had deliberately withheld the Inquiry Committee's report from the legislators, prompting him to formally table it on the House floor.

The said committee was appointed based on the comments made by the Sri Lanka Customs Department to the media on 18 January 2025 regarding the release of 323 high-risk customs containers identified as 'red' by the Risk Management System from the Customs premises without physical inspection. Thereafter, a four-member committee, headed by a Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, was appointed by the Secretary to the Treasury dated 30 January 2025 to examine the process of releasing the said containers and submit a report.

The report details serious lapses in the handling of 309 'red-labelled' containers identified as high-risk under the Customs Risk Management System, which, according to Rahman, were released without mandatory inspection.

"Of the 151 red-labelled containers that were required to undergo scanning, 37 were released without any scan whatsoever," he told Parliament.

He added that another 103 containers subject to scanning requirements were also released without following proper procedures.

In an apparent irregularity, Rahman noted two containers had already been released on 17 January 2025, a day before the official decision was taken to allow the release of the group of containers, raising questions about procedural transparency.