Dudley Sirisena responds to Daily Mirror article on Phantom fiasco

Colombo, Jan. 23 (Daily Mirror) - In response to the Daily Mirror article published under the title 'Dudley Sirisena's Rolls-Royce gets him into tax mess' which appeared on Friday (23) newspaper, business tycoon Dudley Sirisena has broken his voice silence over the high-profile import of a Rolls-Royce Phantom 8, which has drawn attention not only for its luxury price tag but also for alleged customs violations.

Sirisena, revealed that he had first attempted to import a standard Phantom 8 a few months ago. Despite opening the necessary bank credit and completing all formalities, the vehicle was returned due to cross-border regulations revived by Sri Lankan Customs in 2013, which require that letters of credit be opened in the country of manufacture. The car was eventually sent back, and a re-export fee had to be paid.

In what seemed like a routine process for a luxury car enthusiast, Sirisena then imported a limited edition 100th anniversary Phantom 8 EWB through a well-known local vehicle brokerage firm. He claimed he paid the full amount, let the brokerage handle all customs and delivery procedures, and collected the vehicle before leaving the country for an official visit.

However, controversy erupted days later when Customs fined the brokerage company Rs. 70 million for incorrectly declaring the vehicle as a “Phantom LWB” during import. Sirisena emphasized that, as the owner, he had no role in the brokerage’s handling of the process.

 “Whether the oversight was accidental or deliberate is not relevant to me,” he said.

The story has ignited widespread discussion online, where many questioned whether billion-rupee luxury car purchases are appropriate amid Sri Lanka’s economic challenges. Social media users have also confused his vehicle with the $3 million Rolls-Royce Phantom-8 Centenary edition, further fueling speculation.

“In my business, no matter how much money I have, I am not reckless enough to spend billions on a car,” Sirisena said, highlighting the pressures of maintaining and growing a business in the country.

Adding a lighter, yet still highly publicized twist to the saga, Sirisena also shared pictures of his pet dogs Rosie, Brownie, and Bunchy who have become an unexpected topic of online conversation following the Phantom 8 controversy.

As debates continue over luxury, legality, and public perception, the incident has become a symbol of the tension between wealth, business, and scrutiny in Sri Lanka today.