Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Last Updated : 2024-05-27 00:01:00
10 July 2023 01:30 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
- Customs says anybody can appeal for their forfeited goods
In the backdrop of a controversial letter circulating on social media about the Customs Chief’s revoking of forfeiture of seized gold jewellery on a request by MP Vajira Abeywardena, the Customs yesterday said anybody could make an appeal directly or indirectly to the Customs regarding any forfeiture of goods.
An official letter issued by the Customs Director General dated May 03, 2023, addressed to the Director of Customs in charge of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) states the details of Customs Case No: BIA/Case/011/2023 and Appeal No: Cus/App/11/2023.
The letter states that it was in reference to an appeal dated February 27, 2023, made to the former Minister of Internal Affairs Vajira Abeywardena against the inquiry order in the mentioned Customs case.
The letter further states, “Upon Appeal Committee recommendations, I hereby set aside the previous forfeiture order given by the Supervising Officer by virtue of powers vested in me under the provisions of Section 2 of the Customs Ordinance.
I also, hereby order to release the gold jewellery on recovery of applicable taxes prevailed at the time of the seizure. Please take necessary actions required to comply with this order and report to the DC (Appeal) of the same once the required actions are taken, in order to finalize the appeal process regarding this appeal,” the letter was undersigned by Customs DG P.B.S.C Nonis.
When contacted, Customs Spokesman Senior Director Sudaththa Silva told the Daily Mirror yesterday that there was no such pressurizing or influence made on the Customs Chief by MP Abeywardena, but the latter had made a formal appeal.
The said case was related to a female returning to the country in February who was intercepted by the Customs at the BIA Arrival Terminal for trying to smuggle in six gold bangles and two gold chains, which were said to be worth over Rs.15 million.
At the Customs inquiry, it was decided that the female has brought the goods unlawfully and the goods were ordered to be forfeited with a fine of Rs.100,000.
The said female had however brought the matter to MP Abeywardena afterwards and the MP had reportedly brought it to the notice of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the Minister of Finance.
Following a direction of the President, MP Abeywardena had made an appeal to the Customs DG about the gold jewellery and the case was referred to the Customs Appeal Committee by the latter, Sudaththa Silva said.
With the recommendations of the Customs Appeal Committee the Customs Chief had ordered the release of the gold jewellery back to its owner subject to the fact that its due taxes are paid.
The spokesperson said that anybody could make an appeal to the Customs DG if they feel the order given at a Customs inquiry was not fair by them and there’s a due process to regain the seized or forfeited goods. (Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana)
BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 10 July 2023 01:41 PM
I also want to bring some items illegally through the Airport. Can I get in touch with any Minister who will help me on this? I am ready to do anything to the Minister in return including deals like Sumanathero.
Sri Wickrema Monday, 10 July 2023 01:44 PM
Anybody can appeal. But nobody without political patronage is not allowed.
S. Samarakoon Monday, 10 July 2023 01:51 PM
Smuggling is normal for MPs..... Customs !! Please take cognizance of this fact !!
Wiraj Monday, 10 July 2023 01:58 PM
The letter states .." I hereby order to release the gold Jewellery....". Does this sound like an appeal to the customs spokesman? Vajira is in the inner circle of Ranil, and is one of these responsible for the failures of Yahapalanaya govt. Pohottu and Aliya worms are creeping back slowly.
Premalal Perera Monday, 10 July 2023 02:05 PM
Then why have the forfeiture law at all?
Gamaya Monday, 10 July 2023 02:11 PM
Wonder how many appeals the customs chief considered from people not close to politicians?
Relative of MP in Government getting special treatment Monday, 10 July 2023 02:12 PM
In Democratic countries things like what mentioned do not happen. Allowing for confiscated gold to be released is a sure sign of corrupt activity, and political interference.
Victor Dias Meeripane Monday, 10 July 2023 02:30 PM
"Ratarang"Abeygunawardene is going to play a big game, be aware.
Mohamed Adham Monday, 10 July 2023 02:37 PM
15 million value seizure and fined just 100,000/= !!!!! Shocking that the President himself had asked his man Vajira to make an "appeal " !!!! A person has broken the laws of the country and the President himself grants permission for an APPEAL to be made !!! What a country we live in ? With so much financial woes in the country, any other country would rake in whatever money available and this would be a prime case, but, here we are with IMF loans payable back by generations to come, easily appealing and giving a virtual THUMBS UP to wrongoers. Dont be surprised if even the eventual 100,000/= fine was NOT PAID.
Be Fair Monday, 10 July 2023 02:41 PM
Why wouldn't we be a bankrupt country
Man Monday, 10 July 2023 02:45 PM
What a way to pardon the friends in need after being convinced the misdeed.
Ram Monday, 10 July 2023 02:47 PM
The law that we all know is any appeal must be by the convict or in this case the person who paid the fine. How an outsider could appeal the confiscation is new procedure for us to learn. If the President directed Vajira to send a letter that too stinks.
Mark Anandappa Monday, 10 July 2023 03:16 PM
Dont expect the Govt officials to come out with the truth, they will always defend the lie
Yehiya Zavahir Monday, 10 July 2023 08:06 PM
Customs not working according to law. Because transit passenger gold never fall to Sri Lankan territory law. If probited items can bring to law. But restricted items never. Educate the custom officer. The problem is unpopular bad character Vajira appealed.
UNP allowing taking away of government assets as 15 million confisticated gold was government assets Monday, 10 July 2023 09:36 PM
What are these UNPer thinking. Their dirty underhanded dealing will have to brought up again and again. When the gold became government property the two UNP men should be happy about government coffers being richer, instead they allow the smuggler of 15 million gold to continue their business. Maybe President forgot about Ali Sabry already and all the tricks done by importers.
Smuggler of 15 million gold allowed to get back gold Monday, 10 July 2023 09:38 PM
The smuggler even if their syndicate secretly paid 2 or 3 million rupees to the UNP MP, they would still make profit once they get back their 15 million gold. Is Ranil also in on the action, or did the smuggler make their donation directly to the UNP coffers for the UNP election fund?
Kunchithapathan Tuesday, 11 July 2023 05:21 AM
Vajira Abeygunewardene is corrupted beyond the limits and well harboured by Ranil Wickremesinghe to safeguard the future of UNP.
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.
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
For a long time, accusations have been made against Urban Development and Hou
The state-run loss-making State Mortgage & Investment Bank (SMIB) has reveale
US authorities are currently reviewing the manifest of every cargo aboard MV
On March 26, a couple arriving from Thailand was arrested with 88 live animal
