Govt. to release 1mn kg of rice from customs

The government is contemplating to release the containers with one million kilogrammes of rice that have been detained at Sri Lanka Customs for many years over numerous issues, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

While addressing a meeting at the ministry with customs officials, he said the said the consignment of rice is loaded in 79 containers which were detained by customs for not paying demurrages.

During the discussion, it was decided to release more than 950 containers that were detained at customs for not paying demurrages. He said the containers are loaded with large consignments of Karunka and turmeric. After in intervention, the containers will be released as per the priority list, he said.

The State Minister stated that he would take steps to submit the necessary cabinet papers in order to release the containers without levying demurrages. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)