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98 junk containers imported from UK

9 July 2019 03:20 am - 5     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Some 98 containers laden with used mattresses that have been smuggled into this country illegally from the United Kingdom were taken into custody yesterday (8) by the Customs.

During investigations, carpets, plastic and items like polythene, larvae, dead plants, fungus and other items like bird feathers had been found among them.

This stock of old mattresses had been imported without approval from the Central Environmental Authority and it was taken into custody by the Consumer Security Unit of the Sri Lanka Customs. The Customs said that it has been revealed through investigations that an institute in the Katunayake area had imported this stock of used mattresses.

Although the relevant institute had informed the Customs that they were importing used mattresses, they were later found to be a mere heap of garbage, Customs said.

They had informed the Customs that 102 containers were imported but 98 of them were recovered by yesterday (8). The Customs Consumer Security Division said that there was a doubt if it contained dangerous items detrimental to the environment. Hence, the Central Environmental Authority has informed the Customs that all these containers should be re-exported to the U.K. The CEA has informed the Customs that there would be a risk that poses a threat to the environment as a result of the used mattresses.

According to sources, a broad investigation is being carried out by Sri Lanka Customs, Central Environmental Authority, Ministry of Environment, Environment Section of the U.K. and the institute of Quarantine. (Mahinda Nissanka)


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  • Ranee Ratnayeke. Tuesday, 09 July 2019 01:56 PM

    What is the HS code for the used mattresses in the 98 containers. What is the duty and the VAT that the importer paid for for the 05 containers that he already cleared. How mattresses were there in those 05 containers and what is he going to use it for. Why is the Importer's Name not mentioned in the article.

    ravin Tuesday, 09 July 2019 02:16 PM

    Ha !! western countries were sending their dirty to asian countries. It was on news, at sister paper of this paper, few days ago that indonesia also rejected containers of western waste. Our dirty handed politicians may behind this junk as well.

    SRIOMAL DE SILVA Tuesday, 09 July 2019 02:41 PM

    What's going on? Whose doing what and why? That would be worthy news.

    Ronnie Bugger Tuesday, 09 July 2019 02:44 PM

    Man Oh Man. What the hell is going on in this Country once called Paradise. Send it all back to the country of origin and investigate the consignee.

    Soh Tuesday, 09 July 2019 03:20 PM

    UK would have thought sri lanka is the best place to send those as lot of our people still like to even worship the things they have slept on.


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