The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, under Standing Order 27(2), I raise the following Question.

¶ 02 There is grave public concern that, during a period of prolonged delays in clearing containers at the Port of Colombo, 323 containers were reportedly released without Customs examination. The subject Minister, the Chairman-President, has not clarified matters. Delays in container clearance are detrimental to an export/re-export-driven economy and adversely affect multiple sectors. The Government must take urgent action. Accordingly, I ask:

¶ 03 1. Approximately how many containers arrive per day at the Port of Colombo? What is the daily inspection capacity at existing examination yards? Is it sufficient for efficient operations? If not, what changes have been identified and what steps have been taken to expedite clearance?

¶ 04 2. How many vessels reportedly turned away last month due to severe delays? Has the Government calculated the resulting loss? If so, how much? Has the Government considered the broader risks to exports/re-exports, and what solutions are proposed?

¶ 05 3. Of the 323 containers reportedly released without Customs examination, how many were “red label” (mandatory examination by Risk Management)? Did the committee appointed with Cabinet approval to ease congestion release them on specific criteria? What goods were inside? Will the list be tabled? How was it decided—without physical inspection—that there were no illegal or harmful items? Who imported them? How does the Government ensure no loss of revenue? If there was loss, how will it be recovered?

¶ 06 4. Who is responsible to ensure no harmful items entered the country via these containers? Who bears full responsibility for the release process? Can the Government confirm it was not an irregular transaction? Has any investigation commenced? If not, why? Under this process, will “red label” containers continue to be released without physical examination as a matter of policy?

¶ 07 Thank you.