The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an inquiry into allegations that a concession introduced during the 2022-2023 financial crisis—allowing young individuals to import electric vehicles by remitting foreign exchange worth US$25,000—may have been exploited by a clandestine smuggling operation.
A senior police officer disclosed that the investigation aims to ascertain whether approximately 1,087 electric cars and motorcycles were misappropriated and subsequently funneled into the hands of these smugglers.
Adding to the complexity, a senior official from the Foreign Employment Bureau revealed that confidential reports suggest local smugglers, who had not traveled abroad for employment, may have manipulated the system. Allegedly, these individuals sent the requisite funds abroad through the UNDIAL system, only to have the money returned covertly, thereby misusing the concession.
The CID is also exploring the possibility of influential diplomatic support being leveraged to facilitate this racket.
Separately, the CID is investigating another illegal scheme involving the issuance of foreign protection visas under the guise of non-diplomatic employment contracts.
This investigation continues to unfold under the scrutiny of the CID.
Reported by Premalal Wijeratne
