Nearly four months after its appointment, the committee set up by the Ministry of Finance to investigate the release of 323 red-flagged containers from the Colombo Port—reportedly without proper Customs inspection—is yet to conclude its inquiry.
Deputy Ports Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku told the Sunday Times that the investigation is ongoing. However, he expressed confidence that the committee would finalise and submit its report soon.
A senior Customs source confirmed that the committee had completed hearing evidence and was currently in the process of finalising the report. Yet, it remains uncertain when the investigation will be completed and the final report released.
The committee, chaired by Deputy Treasury Secretary A.K. Seneviratne, comprises Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation E.M.S.B. Jayasundara; Director General of the Department of Trade and Investment Policies M.K.P. Kumara; Director General of the Department of Management Audit A.P. Kurumbalapitiya; and Senior Director of Customs Sapumal Jayasundara.
When asked about the ongoing controversy, Customs Director General Sarath Nonis, during a media briefing held at the Government Information Department this week, declined to provide detailed comments due to the pending investigation. He stated that Customs had already submitted a comprehensive report to the committee. “I believe the committee’s report will be out soon, and it will contain all the information on the matter,” he noted.
In recent days, sections of the opposition have accused Ports Minister Bimal Rathnayake of being involved in the release of the red-flagged containers. Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku dismissed the allegations, saying, “The opposition is making such allegations because they have nothing else to talk about.”
Opposition members have also accused Customs of withholding details regarding the contents of the 323 containers and the identities of their importers. A senior Customs official responded, “We can’t publicly reveal details of the items and names of importers like that. If a crime is suspected to have been committed, we will supply details of importers and the contents of the containers to law enforcement agencies such as the CID.”
In addition to the release of the 323 containers through the Green Channel, the committee is also investigating persistent delays in clearing containers at the Colombo Port. These delays reached crisis levels in January, when several thousand containers remained uncleared, disrupting operations. The committee is examining whether the delays were part of a deliberate act of sabotage.
Meanwhile, delays in clearing cargo from container yards at the port persist, according to Channa Ranatunga, President of the Customs House Agents’ (Wharf Officers) Association. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Mr. Ranatunga blamed the inefficiency on what he described as the “lethargic attitude” of Sri Lanka Customs.
He argued that significant time and cost savings could be achieved if the government ensured proper implementation of existing digitisation efforts within Customs, and introduced further digital solutions to streamline operations.
Mr. Ranatunga also pointed out that the current container yards at the port are insufficient in size to manage the high daily volume of unloaded containers, contributing further to the delays.
