Beyond the Container Crisis: Rebuilding Trust in Colombo Port

Seven years ago, over 200 kilos of narcotics were discovered in a container supposedly containing only sugar. In another instance, then-Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne’s secretary requested release for a container carrying 130 kilos of narcotics

“KolomthotaNethaEthaMahalu Wee…” [Apologies to Maestro Amaradeva]

The Port of Colombo boasts a remarkable two-millennia legacy, evolving from the ancient Kolomthota trading harbour to a premier international hub. It serves as Sri Lanka’s principal maritime gateway, strategically positioned on the southwestern coastline where the Kelani River converges with the Indian Ocean. This pivotal port has transformed through successive Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial administrations to achieve recognition among the world’s top 25 ports, processing 7 million TEUs annually within depths surpassing 18 meters.

His Majesty’s Customs at Colombo Port has served as the port’s regulatory foundation for over two centuries, establishing its roots in 1806 as one of Sri Lanka’s most venerable government institutions. Officially constituted under the Customs Ordinance No. 17 of 1869, the department transitioned from “HM Customs” throughout the colonial period to contemporary operations based at No. 40, Main Street, Colombo 11.

The British occupation during the French Revolutionary Wars (1792–1801) positioned Colombo as a crucial customs control point, incorporating the port into expansive imperial trading networks. 

Recent operational pressures witnessed container throughput escalate from 1,200 to 2,900 containers daily, though customs procedures have subsequently stabilised. This adaptability demonstrates the department’s commitment to balancing revenue generation with trade facilitation, preserving Sri Lanka’s strategic prominence in international maritime commerce.

Against this backdrop of historical significance and modern efficiency, Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna’s claim that 323 containers released without inspection in January 2025 carried LTTE weapons appears politically motivated and lacks credibility.While conspiracy theories from this controversial MP regarding concealed arms caches lack merit, legitimate concerns about potential contraband and political interference merit thorough investigation.

Seven years ago, over 200 kilos of narcotics were discovered in a container supposedly containing only sugar. In another instance, then-Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne’s secretary requested release for a container carrying 130 kilos of narcotics. Sri Lanka Customs has publicly defended Minister Bimal Rathnayake against these allegations, while CID and Finance Ministry investigations proceed into the actual green-channelling controversy.

The actual number of containers released on January 18, 2025, was 309 according to official reports, despite claims that 323 containers were cleared. The Director General of Customs appointed a specialised committee to release red-labelled containers following proper inspections. This committee possessed authorisation solely for red-labelled containers, not yellow ones. However, the committee inappropriately released 158 yellow containers that required mandatory scanning and sample collection. Additionally, 37 red-labeled containers were released without required scanning out of 151 containers processed. These procedural violations constitute the core of mounting suspicions.

Breach of protocols

Minister of Ports Bimal Rathnayake has announced that disciplinary and legal action will be pursued against officials found culpable in the controversial release of containers by Sri Lanka Customs earlier this year. The systematic breach of established protocols raises serious questions about internal oversight mechanisms and potential corruption within customs operations. Speaking to reporters, Minister Rathnayake declared, “Legal action will be pursued against officials found guilty of serious violations.” The Presidential Committee investigating the matter has identified inspection-related errors by Customs Officials, with the President implementing decisions based on the findings.

“We discovered significant shortcomings and mistakes on Sri Lanka Customs’ part. The relevant minister and ministry secretary will implement appropriate corrective measures,” he stated.

Minister of Ports Bimal Rathnayake faces accusations of orchestrating the controversial green-channeling but has categorically denied these allegations. Both the CID and a Finance Ministry committee continue their investigations.

The convergence of multiple investigations underscores the situation’s gravity. Despite official denials, admitting “shortcomings and mistakes” suggests procedural violations occurred. The promise of legal action indicates potential criminal liability beyond administrative errors, highlighting systemic weaknesses in port security protocols and raising questions about political interference in customs operations.

A committee appointed by the minister himself found that the minister is not guilty of any criminal act. The credibility of the two committees probing the questionable release of 323 cargo containers will also be in question. Do Smugglers Declare Illegal Items in Customs Documents? 

Additional Director General of Customs Seevali Arukgoda claimed nothing illegal was found in the Green-Channelled 323 containers, stating that document scrutiny revealed textiles, pesticides, cement, motor spares, and solar panels. 

Arukgoda admitted that releasing containers without checks to prevent port congestion was standard practice. The notorious SLPP-UNP regime allowed associates to accumulate ill-gotten wealth before the 2024 presidential election. Voters who overwhelmingly supported the JVP/NPP’s anti-corruption campaign expected this practice to end.

A special committee’s findings contradict government claims of no wrongdoing. Expecting the incumbent administration to order thorough investigations remains wishful thinking. Only a future government will likely investigate this container scandal properly, as current officials appear complicit in perpetuating systemic corruption.

Renewed 

operational delays

The Colombo Port faces renewed operational delays, according to recent reports. Container truck operators’ associations attribute this deteriorating situation to the failure in implementing crucial Cabinet sub-committee recommendations, noting that designated land for cargo clearance operations remains underutilised. This raises concerning questions: Are these delays deliberately orchestrated to justify another controversial release of potentially contraband-laden containers through expedited green-channel procedures? The precedent remains fresh—January 2025’s questionable clearance of 323 red-flagged containers without proper customs inspections was similarly justified as necessary to alleviate port congestion.

A troubling pattern emerges as citizens increasingly suspect that port bottlenecks are either deliberately allowed to develop or systematically engineered. This cynical perspective suggests that artificial delays create convenient pretexts for corrupt state officials and influential business interests to circumvent established protocols for personal enrichment. The repetitive nature of these “emergency” situations, coupled with consistent failure to implement long-term solutions, reinforces public skepticism about the true motives behind port management decisions. Without transparent reforms and accountability measures, the Port of Colombo risks becoming synonymous with systematic corruption rather than efficient maritime operations.

Two former ministers are behind bars for their involvement in the unlawful procurement of carrom boards and checker boards and causing losses to the state coffers in the run-up to the 2015 presidential election. The current ruling party members would do well to learn from the predicament of those ex-ministers and other politicians in jail.

The wholesale green-channeling of containers must be eliminated entirely to preserve port integrity. Media outlets, opposition parties, and port trade unions bear collective responsibility for maintaining vigilant oversight of Colombo Port operations, preventing future incidents where suspicious containers bypass mandatory inspections.

To ensure the Port of Colombo maintains its competitive edge, the government must prioritise eliminating clearance bottlenecks while upgrading critical infrastructure. Successive administrations have consistently neglected modernising customs processing facilities, creating operational vulnerabilities that undermine both security and efficiency. The current government faces an urgent imperative to address these systemic deficiencies. Only through comprehensive reforms—investing in state-of-the-art customs infrastructure and establishing transparent clearance procedures—can Sri Lanka’s premier maritime gateway maintain its strategic importance while safeguarding national security interests.

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