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Vehicle permits; Complaint lodged with FCID

18 December 2015 11:26 pm - 20     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The All Ceylon Customs Services Union (ACCSU) yesterday complained to the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) about a Rs.1 billion fraud on vehicles imported on permit.

It said the fraud had taken place at the Customs when it released vehicles imported on permits and thus evading taxes.

ACCSU General Secretary J.A. Gunathilake alleged that this racket had been carried out by a several finance companies and individuals when importing luxury vehicles such as BMWs from Japan valued at more than US$75,000 USDs using vehicle permits given to state sector employees.

“The permit only allows an employee to import a vehicle valued at less than US$35,000. Most of our state employees don’t have the funds to import a vehicle even on a permit. Therefore, some companies purchase these permits for a lesser amount and use the permits to import luxury vehicles,” he said.

Mr. Gunathilake said these companies also receive a concession on the declared a value of less than US$35,000 when importing the vehicles. He said the companies pay about Rs.1.6 million to the Customs instead of the actual taxes that needed to be paid.

“These underhand tactics result in the government losing billions of rupees as Government revenue. The then president and finance minister Mahinda Rajapaksa gave a ruling that anyone can import vehicles from the permits given to state employees. Recently, the finance companies which imported vehicles on permits had influenced Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayke through a ministry secretary to get their imported vehicles released evading customs levies,” Mr. Gunathilake said adding that the Customs Director General had taken measures to release such vehicles on the minster’s orders.

He said they had complained to the President, Prime Minister and the Finance Minister but there had been no response from them.

“This is why we came to the FCID,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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  Comments - 20

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  • yahapaala Saturday, 19 December 2015 02:36 PM

    Good move.we must act against this culprits/crooks who are destabilizing our mother land. are these idiots doing good governance? all these idiots are serving for their henchman and businessmen. not for the innocent people.it should be ban their civil rights forever..

    Jaya Sunday, 20 December 2015 10:18 AM

    Customs Union. ..why you are silent when your members guilty for the bribes ?????

    kumaran Sunday, 20 December 2015 08:05 AM

    Well done, Customs Union. This is what we want to see. The Prez., PM and FM does not care. Raise a high level of noise, and hopefully we will see our country returning to the PEOPLE from all these rotten and disgusting political plunderers.

    Sri Saturday, 19 December 2015 10:43 PM

    Why are Sri Lankans so hung up on vehicles? They go to any extend to own a piece of metal! Vehicle is needed to get to a one destination to another.

    citizen a Saturday, 19 December 2015 10:23 PM

    100% correct.typical Sri Lankan style.

    lanka Saturday, 19 December 2015 07:18 PM

    THESE CUSTOM OFFICIALS ARE NOT HAPPY BECAUSE PM & FM ORDERED TO RELEASE THE VEHICLES ON ADDITIONAL DITY RECOVERED. THEY WANTED TO RECOVER THESE ADDITIONAL TAX AS A PENALTY WHICH THEY WILL RECEIVE A 40% REWARD ON THE AMOUNT. THIS IS THE REASON WHY THEY ARE NOT HAPPY via DM iOS App

    kumaran Saturday, 19 December 2015 06:52 PM

    All the more reason we should impose an embargo on vehicle imports. At least for an year. Luxury vehicles appear to be like oxygen for our people and it is no wonder we are being so greedy. People become politicians just for vehicle permits.

    lankan Saturday, 19 December 2015 05:57 PM

    Finance Minister is from ayahapalanaya via DM Android App

    Dinesh Saturday, 19 December 2015 05:12 PM

    Ravi only thinks about himself....how he will benefit....He is not bothered about traffic congestion or balance of payment....He must have got a large kick back on this deal...

    Sapu Saturday, 19 December 2015 02:54 PM

    This is not fraud its exploiting a legal loophole

    Dee Saturday, 19 December 2015 06:20 AM

    Fine those who sold the permits.

    Ruwan Fernando Saturday, 19 December 2015 10:17 AM

    i recall the hoops a close relative had to jump through to get a vehicle imported after working for over 40 ye via DM Android App

    SIMON Saturday, 19 December 2015 10:01 AM

    Why the government allowed to import a vehicle valued at less than US$ 35,000.? It should limited to import a vehicle less than 1500cc, not the value of the vehicle. Then the whole problem of demanding vehicle permits will be resolved. Now everyone import luxury vehicles on permits and selling to gain millions of profits. Also luxury vehiclesconsume more fuel and sometime diesel which is subsidised by the government.

    Taxpayer Saturday, 19 December 2015 08:49 AM

    We ordinary people have to bear up all these rackets. Is the so called good governance President and Prime Minister allowing the same frauds of the earlier regime via DM Android App

    romesh Saturday, 19 December 2015 08:42 AM

    FM is telling some thing and doing some thing.

    BUSHEL Saturday, 19 December 2015 08:13 AM

    THIS IS NOT A FRAUD. THIS IS AN IRREGULARITY OR RATHER LOOP HOLE PURPOSELY LEFT BY AUTHORITIES.

    Leo Saturday, 19 December 2015 08:01 AM

    Mr.Gunatillake dont beat around the bush name the individuals and suspend them pending an investigation. We importers are always taken on a ride by custom officials. Time the tables are turned. via DM Android App

    fus Saturday, 19 December 2015 07:38 AM

    All going same boat via DM Android App

    Bippity Boppity Boo Saturday, 19 December 2015 07:17 AM

    Boomerang ?

    Chris Saturday, 19 December 2015 06:43 AM

    Yahapalanaya or in cahoots with Horapalanaya? President, PM, Fin Minister in the same boat.


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