Since its establishment in 1805, Sri Lanka Customs has never released containers marked with red labels, according to the Lawyers’ Association of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, the association’s secretary, Attorney-at-Law Athula De Silva, alleged that this long-standing practice was violated under the current government, which has reportedly released 309 red-labeled containers without proper inspection.
De Silva explained that container labeling is color-coded—green, yellow, and red—with red labels indicating high-risk cargo. These labels are used in cases involving suspected fraud, drug or arms trafficking, or national security concerns related to the importer or the origin of the cargo.
He emphasized that red-labeled containers may contain dangerous goods such as weapons, harmful agrochemicals, or narcotics, which could pose a serious threat to the country, especially to sensitive sectors like agriculture and tea.
Traditionally, such containers are not released without thorough checks. However, De Silva claimed that the current government has bypassed this protocol. He pointed out that even a government-appointed committee confirmed the release of these 309 containers.
He further stated that in doing so, the legal authority of Sri Lanka Customs had been exceeded, and the committee involved had acted beyond its mandate. De Silva also alleged that political interference played a role in the release of these high-risk containers.
