Video: DG Customs was victim of misuse of power: JVP

28 May 2015 03:50 pm - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Director General of Customs was compelled to resign as a result of undue influence being brought to bear on him by a government minister who was engaged in the business of importing and exporting dried ericanuts , the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) charged today.

JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti told a media briefing that this minister had used the power given to him by his office to influence the former DG of Customs to help him to import dried ericanuts from Indonesia before reloading them onto different containers and importing them to India using the concessions granted to Sri Lanka by India.

He said the minister in question, who hails from the |North Western Province, had no particular political affiliation and was often seen hobnobbing with both government and opposition folds.

MP Handunnetti said this was not the only reasons for the resignation of the Customs Director General as there had been more political influence used to get 15 containers of glyphosate, a banned agro-chemical released from customs while undue influence had also been applied with regards to obtaining licenses for the importation of used vehicles.

Mr. Handunnetti said conflicts such as these between politicians and state officials had led to a lack of trust between both parties as well as caused several serious economic issues. He said when such activities are highlighted the business community loses interest in investing in new businesses and therefore the country suffers in the long run.(Yohan Perera and Sanath Desmond)

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Comments - 23

Sirimewan Friday, 29 May 2015 11:33 AM

It is very disgusting to hear this sort of things continue to happen under the new administration. Sirimewan

Lakshman De Silva Sunday, 31 May 2015 07:29 AM

One cannot balme the Politicians always. Sri Lanka customs had been for decades very corrupt and takes bribes from importers of used Motor cycles Japan,@ 1000 Rs.　each that are over 10 years on forged documents and many cars under taxed, and affiliations with textile importers

TONY Saturday, 30 May 2015 12:11 AM

THE PRESIDENT SHOULD INVESTIGATE ON THIS STATEMENT AND SACK THE MINISTER. PEOPLE HAVE NOT VOTED HIM TO POWER TO MAINTAIN THESE KIND OF MINISTERS

Sukuru Friday, 29 May 2015 07:55 PM

he never said the politician from the UNP

roshan Friday, 29 May 2015 01:17 PM

90% customs officers are used to bribes and few of them want to exit before FCID catches them, now the pretext is influence, if he was that honest why did he not resign when previous regime imported and exported kudu, ethanol, wellpatta, archaeological items etc,,,,,

T. Maran Friday, 29 May 2015 12:43 PM

I wish if the president could order the Military to locate all the poisonous pesticides and order to destroy them in environmentally sound manner so that these corrupt culprits would not try it again. Kindly treat these substance similar to drugs and completely ban to import and make sever punishments to those who violate even death penalty as thousands are silently getting killed by using them in farm lands.

Mervyn Silva Friday, 29 May 2015 12:06 PM

Can understand the predicament of the President. He has got a Cabinet of which some members are mega level robes of the economy.It is a open secret that Ravi K is a corrupt politician.

AppuHami Friday, 29 May 2015 12:05 PM

Why not u protect this brave officer and secure his job? This should be a good example to other officers.Salute his brave decision!!!!!

saturnina jayamaha Friday, 29 May 2015 12:05 PM

Please let the public know of corrupt politicians,business establishments and others holding public office. We need good citizens. People power elected a president in Jan 2015.It Was a united vote for change. We have a right to know the corrupt politicians?

saturnina jayamaha Friday, 29 May 2015 12:05 PM

Please let the public know of corrupt politicians,business establishments and others holding public office. We need good citizens. People power elected a president in Jan 2015.It Was a united vote for change. We have a right to know the corrupt politicians?

saturnina jayamaha Friday, 29 May 2015 12:05 PM

Please let the public know of corrupt politicians,business establishments and others holding public office. We need good citizens. People power elected a president in Jan 2015.It Was a united vote for change. We have a right to know the corrupt politicians?

citizen s Friday, 29 May 2015 11:41 AM

Mr. S.H...do you have enough evidence to prove.if you have please file a complaint at the BC or FCID with out making press conference.

Nuwan Friday, 29 May 2015 03:17 AM

If he had misused power it should be clarified as to why he did so. Was it for personal gains or was he under duress of political crooks.

Raja Friday, 29 May 2015 11:09 AM

According to this article, it is NOT the Customs Chief , but some politicians in the Yahapalanaya regime who are trying to make him engage in corrupt deals.

Mason Friday, 29 May 2015 11:01 AM

Let the public know, who is this arecanut Minister. What has the President and Prime Minister to say about this. It was Treasury Bonds first. Arecanuts, Glyphosate and used vehicles are following suit.Elsewhere it was said a Minister was getting 5% commission for releasing payments to contractors.Well, well, they are fast-forwarding no doubt.

Lokka Friday, 29 May 2015 10:23 AM

If these things still happen under "yahapalanaya", which is the alternative for us. It should be enlightened dictatorship.

Mary Friday, 29 May 2015 10:00 AM

Yes Sunil you have to name the minister concerned, otherwise how are we to know who it is as all are crooks. So please name him. Thanks

sam Friday, 29 May 2015 09:56 AM

Disclose that person or you are just another slanderer,

Voter Friday, 29 May 2015 08:53 AM

Pl. expose their names so that they stop such activities.Like the CB Governors issue these events destroy Ranil and the UNP.Who benefits its the former rogues who are attempting a come back . via DM Android App

shantha gamlath Friday, 29 May 2015 08:28 AM

We should raise a question for Mr Ranil Wikramasinghe who is prime minister and his vision of good governance and democracy. Why he cannot control his ministers from this kind of illegal activities. How he can build the good governance and accountability on public finance with this kind of people and their activities. It is clear, these government is not big difference with compare previous....Prime minister must be taken immediate action in this regard.

saman Friday, 29 May 2015 08:27 AM

IF YOU DO NOT NAME AND SHAME, THEN YOU ARE ALSO COMPLICIT IN THE SCAM!

richard Friday, 29 May 2015 07:55 AM

There is no use levelling allegations.It would best to handover evidence to the authorities for follow up action.

Premalal Friday, 29 May 2015 05:39 AM

You have to name the person so that people can vote him out at the next general election.

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Video: DG Customs was victim of misuse of power: JVP

Comments - 23

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