Customs destroys 450,000 counterfeit items

26 April 2017 02:02 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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About 450,000 pieces of counterfeit articles seized after being imported from China and India since January, had been destroyed at the Rank Container Terminal (RCT) Container Yard Orugodawatte today, customs Spokesman Dharmasena Kahandawa said.

“The items were crushed in front of the media, while marking the World Intellectual Property Day to convey a message to public to make aware of buying low quality imported items as they could be harmful to consumer and other living beings,” he said.

Counterfeit items such as wrist watches, flasks, mobile phones, ear phones and toys were destroyed. The seized items were not valued as they were illegal imports.

“These counterfeit toy items were not suitable for children, because the manufactures have used very low quality material and the paint that they used to color them was poisonous and may create irritations on children’s skins,” Mr. Kahandawa said.

“Sri Lanka is one of the leading countries when it comes to Intellectual Property Act in the Asian region,” he said.

Legal actions had had already being taken against the importers.

Mr. Kahandawa also said these kinds of raids not only brought in revenue, but also protect people, fauna and flora and the economy of the country.

“In this endeavour, Sri Lanka Customs always gives priority to protect the people,” he said.
The establishment of the special Directorate of Social Protection was established to protect the country from low quality imports, he said.

“The Consumer Protection Unit (CPU) plays a vital role in safeguarding the health and safety of the people. As the border control agency in Sri Lanka it intercepts and controls goods which are harmful to consumer and other living beings in the country,” he said. (Chaturanga Pradeep)

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Comments - 10

annoyed Wednesday, 26 April 2017 03:11 PM

Well done. Keep up the good work.

Selvyn Wednesday, 26 April 2017 05:03 PM

Buying low quality things is unavoidable because there is a potential clientele for such articles via DM Android App

JAN Wednesday, 26 April 2017 05:16 PM

Mr Kahandawa Thank you very much for totally destroying Cheap Fabricated Health Risky items which is very bad for the Society Well done YAHAPALANAYA via DM Android App

asela Wednesday, 26 April 2017 06:04 PM

but we have never seen drugs destroyed in public via DM Android App

Junta Wednesday, 26 April 2017 06:40 PM

Madness -- those are in pettah market

Shelly. Wednesday, 26 April 2017 07:41 PM

The suppliers are not to be blamed. Our own greedy businessmen do this for very high profits in the absence of proper laws or monitoring. via DM Android App

ceylon Wednesday, 26 April 2017 07:46 PM

another stupid action.confiscate is the punishment for countrreit.its good.but product destroying is a sin.why not give to needy poor . via DM Android App

ceylon Wednesday, 26 April 2017 07:49 PM

just say something to say no good.but not reveal the proofevidence.destroying is easier than do with other things with them. via DM Android App

Laljee/Qatar Thursday, 27 April 2017 08:49 AM

Can the Director General of Srilanka customs tell the srilankan public what has happened to the cigarettes ' whisky and narcotics which was apprehended in recent years ? Won't these items deserve to destroy front of the public after legal authorities' inspection? A cabinet minister in the present government (UNP) openly told the media few months back that 90% of these contrabands' come to the open market for sale.

TONY Thursday, 27 April 2017 08:51 AM

COULDNT THEY HAVE AUCTIONED THESE ITEMS AND PAID THE CUSTOMS OFFICERS AS REWARDS SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK???

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Customs destroys 450,000 counterfeit items

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