Committees

Select Committee of Parliament to look into and Report to Parliament on the release of 323 Containers from the Port of Colombo without undergoing mandatory physical inspection and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard.

— Select Committee of Parliament to look into and Report to Parliament on the release of 323 Containers from the Port of Colombo without undergoing mandatory physical inspection and submit its proposals and recommendations in that regard,— Whereas, it has been revealed that 323 containers were released from the Port of Colombo without undergoing mandatory physical inspection, contrary to established accepted customs procedures;

And whereas the Secretary to the Treasury appointed a Committee of Inquiry on instructions of the President who had taken cognisance of news reports on these irregularities and the said Committee of Inquiry in its report has observed that the method of releasing the containers was contrary to the law and that “the release of containers without proper inspection poses serious risks to national security, revenue collection, and public safety”;

And whereas the Sri Lanka Customs Officers’ Union has publicly stated that they cannot take responsibility for the contents of said containers in light of the irregular manner of their release;

And whereas serious allegations have been raised in Parliament and by responsible authorities that said containers could have been used to smuggle narcotics, arms, and other prohibited contraband into the country;

And whereas recent detections in Sri Lanka, including the recovery of large consignments of narcotic drugs and an increase in incidents involving illegal firearms, have heightened legitimate fears that lapses of this nature are directly linked to threats faced by the public;

And whereas this matter touches upon issues of national security, law enforcement, public safety, and the integrity of the country’s ports and customs administration, all of which are of paramount national importance;

And whereas this matter has become a source of uncertainty in society;

This Parliament resolves that a Select Committee of Parliament be appointed to look into and report to Parliament and submit its proposals and recommendations on all matters relating to the release of the said containers, not being limited to the above, but also including the following:—

(a) the legality and propriety of releasing containers without physical inspection;

(b) the accountability of government authorities, officials, and private entities involved; (c) whether any of the said containers contained illegal, prohibited, or harmful goods;

(d) the role and responsibility of the Sri Lanka Customs and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority in the process;

(e) the adequacy of existing laws, regulations, and procedures in safeguarding against such irregularities; and

(f) recommendations for legal, administrative, and policy reforms to ensure prevention of such incidents in the future.

2. (a) that the Chair and Members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Speaker; and

(b) that in terms of the provisions of Standing Order 101 of Parliament, the Committee shall not consist of more than twelve (12) Members.

3. That the Committee shall have the power to —

(a) fix its quorum;

(b) summon any person to appear before it, to require any person to procure any document or record, to procure and receive all such evidence, written or oral, as the Committee may think it necessary for the fullest consideration of the matters referred to above;

(d) make interim reports from time to time and to sit notwithstanding any adjournment or prorogation of Parliament.

4. The Committee shall present its report to Parliament within a period of three months (03) from the first meeting of the Committee or within such further period as Parliament may grant.

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