The Customs Officers’ Association has alleged that 323 containers, many of which were marked with red labels requiring mandatory inspection, were released from the port without undergoing any checks.
Amila Sanjaya, the President of the Association, emphasized that the majority of these released containers fall under the category that necessitates strict inspection protocols due to their red label classification.
He further stated that approximately 80 percent of the containers released without inspection required such stringent scrutiny, raising significant concerns about the potential risks associated with bypassing these checks.
According to Sanjaya, no one has the authority to release red-labeled containers without proper inspection. He warned that if these containers enter society unchecked, they could potentially carry weapons, narcotics, substandard medicines, or other illegal substances, posing a severe threat to public safety.
Sanjaya also clarified that customs officers stationed in the yards would not take responsibility for these uninspected containers.
In a bold move, he alleged that these actions were carried out with the knowledge of the Director of Customs. In protest, Sanjaya announced his resignation from his duties today, drawing attention to the critical issue and demanding accountability.
