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SL Customs admits release of 371 containers without inspection

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Sri Lanka Customs has confirmed that 371 containers were released without inspection on Jan. 18, 2025.

The revelation came through a letter issued by K.K.W.M.D. Silva, Deputy Director of Customs (Policy Planning and Research Directorate), in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query by ‘Aruna’ newspaper.

According to the letter,  62 out of the 371 containers had been cleared via the ASYCUDA automated Customs data system using risk management protocols, which exempted them from inspection.

The matter sparked controversy on Jan. 29 after it was reported that 323 containers had been released without the required inspection.

Since then, the Customs Officers’ Association has repeatedly leveled accusations at the Customs administration.

According to the letter, the containers were flagged for inspection under the red and yellow channels of the ASYCUDA system but were released based on scan reports alone, bypassing an inspection.

These containers were imported from a range of countries, including China, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Switzerland, South Korea, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Japan, and Bangladesh.

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Bus associations oppose proposal of 2% fare reduction

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The government’s proposal to reduce bus fares by a 2% effective from July 01 has led to the strong disapproval of bus associations, reports say.

It was also proposed not to revise the minimum fare.

The announcement was made during a meeting between officials of the Transport Ministry and representatives of private bus associations to discuss the annual bus fare revision, scheduled for July 01.

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UN Rights chief meets families of missing persons

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A group of activists and families of missing persons handed over letters and memorandums to the visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk in Trincomalee today (June 25).

UN Human Rights Spokesperson – Jeremy Laurence, who is accompanying the High Commissioner, said while in Trincomalee that Mr. Volker Turk expressed sorrow and solidarity with the families of the disappeared.

Meanwhile, a peaceful demonstration was also held in Trincomalee during this visit, where a group of activists and victims of disappearances was seen holding placards and banners.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will visit Kandy before concluding his official visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow (June 26) after a special press briefing in Colombo.

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200 new super luxury buses to be procured for expressways

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There is an urgent need to introduce new buses to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus fleet, as nearly 52% of the regular bus fleet of the Sri Lanka Transport Board and nearly 94% of the luxury bus fleet have exceeded the economic life span. 

As to the insufficient buses to meet the passenger demand on the expressway, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is currently operating 61 luxury buses belonging to the private sector on a profit-sharing basis. 

Therefore, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has decided to purchase 200 new super-luxury buses by using their own funds. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, Port and Civil Aviation to purchase 29 super luxury buses through the financially capable depots and to purchase the remaining buses by making a down payment using SLTB funds and the balance to be paid in monthly instalments over a period of 5 years.

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