Customs, Pesticides Chiefs summoned to court

25 February 2012 05:57 am - 4 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Customs Director General and Pesticides Registrar were yesterday directed to appear in the Colombo High Court on March 2 and show cause why they had released the arsenic and mercury contaminated fertiliser to the importers while a restraining order was in force.

Judge Kumudini Wickramasinghe gave this direction when the officer who represented the Customs Director General told court that the fertiliser had been released to the importers and that this was done before the court order was issued.

Petitioner’s counsel Ravindranath Dabare told court that on the day it had issued the restraining order the court had directed the High Court Registrar to convey the court order to the defendants over the phone, considering its importance to the people.

Mr. Dabare said at the time of the court order the fertiliser was in the custody of the customs.

The Centre for Environmental Justice, which is the petitioner in this case, alleged that the Customs Director General had retained the fertiliser in her custody but the Pesticides Registrar had directed her to release the contaminated fertiliser consignment to the market notwithstanding the danger to human beings and the environment.

The petitioner alleged that the customs had taken steps to release the fertiliser to the importers after levying a fine and that a part of the fine would be given to the customs officers who initiated the investigation. (T.Farook Thajudeen)

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 - 4

shantha madawelam Saturday, 25 February 2012 06:35 AM

That may be a order from a higher rank minister....?

Herby Padmaperuma Saturday, 25 February 2012 08:50 PM

This matter in the interest f the General Public, must to thoroughly investigated, and those found uilty, howevere in high ranking position or in political guarwdianship, must e punished to the utmost prescriiption of the Law. Unless there was a substantial monetary consideration, what indicent hurry is there for those handling this lucrative assignment, to expedite the clearing of this dangerous cargo.. Only some Officials, do not kow that Sri Lanka Custom is synonimous with Bribery, Coruption and allied every concievable nefarious activities.
It was no surprising when the President remarked that at therecent recruitment of Custom Officers, why so many had relenquished top jobs bothe in the Govt. and Pvt. sector to join the Customs. People are closely following this case.

citizen1 Sunday, 26 February 2012 02:41 AM

Maybe the arsenic was mean't for us while the good stuff to be exported...

manike Sunday, 26 February 2012 05:27 AM

Perpetrators should be prosecuted. No wonder cancer is spreading like wild fire in Sri Lanka.

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.

Customs, Pesticides Chiefs summoned to court

Comments - 4

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

New Visa procedure implemented

Sri Lanka weighs Open Skies amidst plans for national carrier privatization

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage

New uterine loop for monkey birth control

Sajith avoids reception hosted for Iranian President

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand