In a shocking revelation during a recent Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) meeting, it was disclosed that a gem parcel worth 250 million rupees, seized by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority following a court order in 2024, was released without proper authorization.
The gem parcel had been confiscated due to improper tax payments and was supposed to be exported only after meeting the required tax obligations. However, it was revealed that the parcel was released to the same company that had previously attempted to export it illegally, with only a minimal fine imposed.
During the COPE meeting, MP Asitha Niroshan Egodawithana raised concerns with the officials of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority about the lack of proper authorization in the release process. It was disclosed that the decision to release the parcel was made without the approval of the Board of Directors and without consulting the Attorney General.
Amal Tennakoon, the Director of Export Services, admitted to releasing the parcel based on an order from the Director-General, despite the Auditor General’s assertion that such a decision could not be made unilaterally.
