COLOMBO: Only 5 percent of containers currently being brought to Sri Lanka are checked by scanners, according to Sri Lanka Customs.
Responding to a question at a media briefing here the other day, Director General of Sri Lanka Customs, Jagath P. Wijeweera pointed out the likelihood of drugs and other illegal items being smuggled into the country was high due to the small percentage of containers that are currently being scanned.
“However, whenever there is the slightest suspicion, we make sure that a particular container is always scanned and inspected,” he insisted.
He pointed out the lack of available scanners was the reason for the low percentage of containers being scanned at present.
Wijeweera further revealed that before the end of 2015, Sri Lanka Customs hopes to put in place a mechanism where the majority of containers that arrive in the country are scanned. Tenders have already been called for new scanners, he added.
While the total cost of the project could only be determined based on the bids from companies, the Customs estimates the cost to be somewhere between US$20-30 million.
Responding to a question regarding the tractors that drug kingpin ‘Wele Sudha’ had allegedly used to smuggle heroin into the country, the Customs Director General said as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was currently investigating the matter, it is best the matter is left to the police. While it was unclear if anyone at Customs had a hand in ensuring that the tractors passed through undetected, Wijeweera expressed confidence that the CID investigation would determine the truth.
