- SJB releases Prez Comm.’s ‘damning’ report
- Containers released without scans despite inspection officers’ note; 2 containers released before official decision
- MP Archchuna claims to know the contents of the 323 containers
The report of the committee appointed by the President to investigate allegations regarding the release of containers without undergoing scanning was tabled in the Parliament yesterday (30 June) by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Opposition Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman.
Speaking in the Parliament, Rahman claimed that the Government had concealed the contents of the committee report and had not presented it to the Parliament. He said that therefore, he tabled the report in the Parliament yesterday.
He further revealed that the committee report indicated that out of 151 red-labeled containers which are subject to mandatory scanning under the risk classification, 37 containers had been released without undergoing any scans. He also stated that although scanning is mandatory for red-labeled containers, these 37 containers were released without being subjected to any screening, even though the officers responsible for inspection had attached a note indicating that the containers must be scanned thoroughly.
Furthermore, Rahman pointed out that a total of 103 containers that were due for scanning had been released without undergoing the process. He added that while the decision to release the containers was officially made on 18 January, two containers had already been released on 17 January, a day prior to that decision. The opposition MP also read out the report where the committee had found that the Sri Lanka Customs Director General’s action is an overreach of his legislated mandate. He also revealed from the report that only one of the three member committees appointed by the Customs head had joined a meeting held in January 2025 where a decision was taken to release the 307 containers.
Meanwhile, Opposition Independent Group MP Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna yesterday stated that he was prepared to disclose the contents of the 323 containers released recently, but emphasised that the Government must first provide a formal assurance that he would not be subjected to imprisonment on fabricated charges. Speaking in the Parliament regarding the release of the 323 containers in question, he stated that he is able to provide a detailed list of what was inside the 323 containers – its contents, destination, and country of origin.
He urged the Government to guarantee his protection before he proceeds with the disclosure. “Let them first prove to me that I will not be removed from my MP seat or falsely implicated in a drug case. I will present everything to the Parliament,” he added. He stressed that in the absence of such a guarantee, he would have no choice but to leave the country and release the information through international channels. “Otherwise, I will flee to another country and make the details public there. I will state without fear what was inside the 323 containers. I can reveal everything, but I am afraid,” he said. Dr. Archchuna clarified that his fear was not of assassination, but of continued legal harassment through baseless allegations. “A case has been filed to remove me. I will address it in Court. But, I am afraid,” he stated. “They are dragging me into unnecessary cases again and again. Now, they have the power of the Police, and they are attempting to suppress the truth by removing me from the Parliament and silencing dissent,” Dr. Archchuna added.
