Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Container of dried chillies worth Rs.10 m seized by Customs

12 May 2016 10:53 pm - 6     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Three containers with dried chillies, valued at about Rs.10 million, imported from China, had been seized at the Orugodawatte Container yard this evening, Deputy Customs Director Parakrama Basnayake said.

He said upon inspection it was revealed that the three containers had been stocked with 63,500kgs of dried chillies which were not fit for human consumption.

The containers had been examined at the Customs Revenue Task Force Division at the Rank Container Terminal (RCT) in Orugodawatta.

Investigations revealed the dried chillies had been imported by a leading company dealing with food imports located on the Fifth Cross Street in Pettah.

The containers, which had arrived in Colombo seven weeks ago from China, had been kept at the RCT for 21 days, and were thought to have been outdated even before being shipped. The consignment did not even have a Quality Assurance certificate from the Food and Beverage Industry of Sri Lanka,” Mr. Basnayake said.

During the customs investigations it had been revealed that this business had been going on for a long period of time. “The goods are to be confiscated and later we will decide on how best to destroy the chilies without harming the environment,” he said.

The investigations were carried out by Customs Director K.D.R. Christy, Deputy Customs Director P.J.B Basnayake, Customs Superintendent H.D. Dayananda, Assistant Preventive Officers S.V. Kamburugamuwa and A.K.K Thushara. (Chaturanga Pradeep)

Pix by Kushan Pathiraja


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 6

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Nelum Fernando Friday, 13 May 2016 02:33 AM

    These are for locally made chilli paste and chilli sauce.

    Kugan Friday, 13 May 2016 05:56 AM

    Chinese do grow chillies and export them...how about our local growers

    Ceylonese Friday, 13 May 2016 07:12 AM

    Beware food imported from China are usually contaminated and full of chemicals.

    Ian Friday, 13 May 2016 11:47 AM

    Paga did not reach the intended person.

    Jude Friday, 13 May 2016 01:32 PM

    In this department Paga comes without intentions as that is the norm.

    Yehiya Friday, 13 May 2016 03:46 PM

    this is not importers mistake. supplier mislead. Bring some stand for import food product with country quality certificate.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H