31 March 2021 03:12 pm
The two bowser trucks allegedly containing substandard coconut oil was seized and handed over to Customs Authorities this morning, Sri Lanka Customs Director General Major General G. Vijitha Ravipriya said.
He made these comments during a media briefing on the controversial consignment of carcinogenic coconut oil.
Two trucks were seized by Dankotuwa police yesterday (Tuesday) following a tip-off that the trucks contained substandard oil. "I myself inspected the two bowsers in Dankotuwa today. The bowsers were brought to the Customs under police protection this morning. The two drivers of the bowsers were also arrested by the Police. The proprietors of the land the trucks were hidden in, as well as the traders who are responsible for the import were brought in to record statements," he said.
The bowsers have not been opened yet, as we have to follow due procedure. However after the legal procedures have been completed we will investigate whether the bowsers contain crude oil, substandard oil or any other content. As the bowsers were found in Dankotuwa we may have to be vigilant of other concerns as well," Ravipriya said.
Some 27,500 litres of coconut oil seized by the Police will be sent to the Government Analyst for testing. "Media erroneously reported that these trucks were sealed by the Customs. I must clarify that the trucks did not carry a Customs seal. The seal belongs to the private companies which handled these stocks," the Director-General added. (Kalani Kumarasinghe)