Sri Lanka Customs has issued an official statement addressing recent allegations regarding the release of over 300 containers without inspection.
The department clarified that the containers were cleared under a systematic protocol aimed at mitigating severe congestion at the Port of Colombo.
Deputy Director General Seevali Arukgoda said the media reports had caused public misunderstanding and tarnished the institution’s image.
He explained that by June 2024, port congestion had reached critical levels, with container clearance delays lasting up to 10 days, leading to serious economic setbacks.
As a result, at least 34 cargo vessels avoided Colombo Port within one month, further disrupting trade.
In response, a specialized Screening Unit was formed to assess low-risk containers using set criteria and expedite their release without physical inspection.
Currently, 60% of containers are cleared through this streamlined process, while 40% still undergo full inspections.
Customs highlighted that limited inspection capacity—only 100 containers at Gray Line yards and 350 at RTC yard daily—makes full inspection of all incoming containers unfeasible.
The clearance procedures follow global best practices and international agreements, including those with the World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization.
The containers in question, cleared in January 2025, mainly carried industrial raw materials from India and China.
Allegations suggesting that the containers may have contained weapons, narcotics, or gold were firmly denied by Sri Lanka Customs.
A post-clearance audit and an independent investigation led by the Ministry of Finance and CID are ongoing to ensure full transparency.
Arukgoda assured the public that once these investigations are completed, Customs will verify that only declared items were released.
