New rules on taking out jewellery - Customs

26 November 2013 04:51 pm - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Customs Department intends to introduce new rules regarding the wearing and carrying of gold jewellery by people traveling abroad, after a gold smuggling racket was detected in Kochi, said a Customs Dept. spokesman.

People who take jewellery on a “bring back basis” would be allowed to take no more than the equivalent of 15 sovereigns, Customs media spokesman Leslie Gamini told Daily Mirror.

“Rough jewellery will not be allowed,” he said.

The decision was taken today at a meeting following the arrest of 56 Sri Lankans with gold in Kochi -- which the Indian authorities alleged was part of a smuggling racket.

“According to Sri Lankan law, the Customs cannot arrest or question a person who wears jewellery. That is a violation of human rights,” he said.

He said the Customs would also introduce a new form in which passengers would have to declare the gold jewellery they take out with them.
Passengers would have to explain if they have more jewellery on their return, he said. (Chaturanga Pradeep-DM Online)

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Comments - 26

Chugum Tuesday, 26 November 2013 05:07 PM

“According to Sri Lankan law, the Customs cannot arrest or question a person who wears jewellery. That is a violation of human rights". Abducting, killing and rape are not human right violations. What a Banana country.

Cobra Wednesday, 27 November 2013 02:22 AM

Reminds me of Mahadenamuththa and the goat-instead of being more vigilant of real gold smugglers they go and restrict the weight of the the genuine travelers' jewellery!

mollamaari786 Wednesday, 27 November 2013 07:17 PM

Absolutely, I have seen Tamil women having thaali with 100 sovereigns!!! So they cant wear thaali!!!! personally I hate this type things!!!

mollamaari786 Wednesday, 27 November 2013 07:21 PM

Will this rule apply to first family and their closer family & close family members tooo?? Our first lady may easily be exceeding this limit!!!!

barth Wednesday, 27 November 2013 08:58 AM

Who appointed this fool in that position?

Must be our MR?

Sri Lankan Wednesday, 27 November 2013 09:08 AM

They should be hidden in the rec.......and not worn when you pass through customs....the new way!! Customs must love the job looking for them!!

tomsamusa Thursday, 28 November 2013 12:45 AM

Well said mate!!!!!!

Pxx Thursday, 28 November 2013 01:00 AM

Apple penna Papoluth dennenathi anagatayak laga enawa wage.

Chinaman Wednesday, 27 November 2013 09:26 AM

No money left in the country after the CHOGM & now the Govt. of SL wants the gold from the Sri Lankan who are leaving the country to better their own pockets.

Kalusena Wednesday, 27 November 2013 10:00 AM

This is going to make it very difficult for our cricketers to go overseas with there heavy jewellery.

Zahran1 Tuesday, 26 November 2013 08:14 PM

Customs should not destroy our freedom as Non Resident Sri lankans and Local Sri Lankans. We send so much money back this is what we get from Government.

Anna Wednesday, 27 November 2013 06:39 AM

Good comment!

mike Wednesday, 27 November 2013 06:55 AM

Absolutely right and the biggest of all times cheaters the culprits are the Rajapakses family the worst bunch are Mahinda, Gota Basil so as his associates

james bond Wednesday, 27 November 2013 06:56 AM

appoint to customes who has brains.not to do stupid things.while country is filled with drugs come through customs,these "extremely" inteligent custom is trying to do unwanted and unnecesary rules,all to disturb the passengers to show their foolishness.all know your foolishness over the decades,don't do any more wise things like these.are they don"t have any other things to do there ???.

Koshitha Wednesday, 27 November 2013 11:19 AM

do rules get more retarded than this.. why do we have people with no brains from the past making rules for the future ?

sobers Wednesday, 27 November 2013 03:49 AM

Do not be idiotic by introducing many forms. Follow the developed world. Use your intelligence and Hi-tec to minimise unwanted issues, thus making the traveler comfortable. Just because a very few percentage is involved in nefarious activities do not adopt outdated systems. Follow the Immigration deprtment, now they re fast and following good systems.

clueless Wednesday, 27 November 2013 11:21 AM

All started with the killing of Duraiappah

Ma Perera Wednesday, 27 November 2013 11:26 AM

What happened about the millions dollars worth gold wristlet brought in by Wickramasinghe kith and kin of the most high?

Lima Wednesday, 27 November 2013 11:35 AM

SO WHERE ARE THE GOLD THAT SRI LANKA RESERVED IN THE CENTRAL BANK , WHERE THE TSUNAMI MONEY , WHERE THE ROGUES RULERS NOW TALKING BIG .
THEY COME FROM NOWHERE AND THEY NOW OWN SRI LANKA LIKE THEIR OWN PRODUCT

Raizuh Langai Wednesday, 27 November 2013 01:28 AM

we know you will implement the new law to the letter. Could you please make an honest declaration to the people of Sri Lanka the value of the houses you own, cars and other assets you have? And also the number of foreign trips you have made since becoming Customs Officers?
Anyway who cares.Lankans are not not worried about the corruption of the Politicos, at least you have done studies and passed exams and deserve a better living. Just carry on.Of course there are some amongst you who are honest. On behalf of the nation, I salute that rare lot.

Grace Wednesday, 27 November 2013 11:41 AM

Why should women wear such big Wedding chains making those who can not afford to feel a sense of deprivation?

mohan Wednesday, 27 November 2013 07:32 AM

15 sovereigns only ? "thaali" itself more than that ,

james bond Wednesday, 27 November 2013 11:51 AM

according to customs spoksperson,customs cannot arrest or question regarding the jewellery passenger wearing.did the customs followed these rules ???.all the published newspapers,radio and tv reports reveals allways custom is questioning the passengers when they found gold or jewellery they are wearing.if a skillfull lawyer take all these casess,all arrested and questioned passengers go free and can file casess against customs for violating rules and disturbing passengers wrongly.whats going on in sri lanka,daily basis it becomes lawless to more lawless.easily can understand why people leaving from this mess to any other countries.

Marcelle McDonald Wednesday, 27 November 2013 07:59 AM

Sri Lanka is known for its jewels like Amethysts, Rubies, Moonstones, Catseyes, Saphires, Emeralds, Garnets and others ....... these new draconian laws are going to end the tourist trade. Is this what you really want Mahinder ??

Mervin de Silva Wednesday, 27 November 2013 08:04 AM

Lootings of LTTE in Wanni that captured by Army are being smuggled out!

One way or another the wealth of the nation is ending up in Swiss banks!

junior Wednesday, 27 November 2013 08:08 AM

Will it end up in another TAX? Non resident lankan gold tax, may be.... the budget continues......

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New rules on taking out jewellery - Customs

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