Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I move the following:

¶ 02 That this Parliament resolves to appoint a Select Committee of Parliament to look into all matters connected with and incidental to the release of 323 containers from the Port of Colombo without being subjected to mandatory physical inspection; to report thereon; and to submit its proposals and recommendations, having regard, inter alia, to the following:

¶ 03 (a) The legality and propriety of releasing the containers without physical inspection;

¶ 04 (b) The accountability of the relevant Government authorities, officials and private entities in that regard;

¶ 05 (c) Whether any of the said containers contained illegal, prohibited or harmful goods;

¶ 06 (d) The role and responsibility of Sri Lanka Customs and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority in this process;

¶ 07 (e) The adequacy of existing laws, regulations and procedures to safeguard against such irregularities; and

¶ 08 (f) Recommendations for legal, administrative and policy reforms necessary to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.

¶ 09 Whereas it has been revealed that 323 import containers were released from the Port of Colombo without undergoing mandatory physical inspection, contrary to accepted customs procedures;

¶ 10 Whereas, considering reports of these irregularities, and in accordance with the instructions issued by the President, the Secretary to the Treasury appointed an investigation committee which, in its report, observed that the procedure adopted in releasing the containers was contrary to law and that releasing containers without proper inspection poses serious risks to national security, revenue collection, and public safety;

¶ 11 Whereas the Sri Lanka Customs Officers’ Association, observing the irregular nature of the said releases, publicly stated that they cannot take responsibility for the contents of those containers;

¶ 12 Whereas serious allegations have been made in Parliament and by responsible authorities that these containers could have been used to bring narcotics, weapons, and other prohibited items into the country illegally;

¶ 13 Whereas, in light of recent detections of large consignments of narcotics, the rise in incidents involving illegal firearms, and other matters recently uncovered in Sri Lanka, there is a well‑founded and increasing public concern that such irregularities are directly connected to threats faced by the public;

¶ 14 Whereas the matter affects national security, the enforcement of the law, public safety, the integrity and probity of the country’s trade and customs administration, and is therefore of grave national importance;

¶ 15 And whereas this issue has become a source of uncertainty in society;

¶ 16 1. This Parliament therefore resolves to appoint a Select Committee of Parliament to investigate and report on all matters connected with and incidental to the above issue, including but not limited to the matters set out below:

¶ 17 (a) The legality and propriety of releasing containers without physical inspection;

¶ 18 (b) The accountability of the relevant Government authorities, officials, and private entities;

¶ 19 (c) Whether any of the containers contained illegal, prohibited, or harmful goods;

¶ 20 (d) The role and responsibility of Sri Lanka Customs and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority in the process;

¶ 21 (e) The adequacy of existing laws, regulations and procedures to safeguard against such irregularities; and

¶ 22 (f) Recommendations for legal, administrative, and policy reforms necessary to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.

¶ 23 2. (a) The Chairperson and Members of the Committee shall be nominated by the Speaker; and

¶ 24 (b) In terms of Standing Order 101 of Parliament, the Committee shall consist of not more than twelve (12) Members.

¶ 25 3. The Committee shall have the power—

¶ 26 (a) to fix its quorum;

¶ 27 (b) to summon before it any person and to call for any document or report, and to receive all such evidence, oral or written, as it may deem necessary for the purpose of making a thorough study of the aforesaid matters;

¶ 28 (c) to obtain the services of persons having special or expert knowledge in relevant fields to assist the Committee; and

¶ 29 (d) to make interim reports, and to meet notwithstanding any adjournment of Parliament or the conclusion of a Session.

¶ 30 4. The Committee shall present its report to Parliament within a period of three (03) months from the date of its first meeting or within such period as may be extended by Parliament.