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Video: Customs officers refuse to open container in media presence

15 Mar 2013 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Customs officers today shied away from opening two containers suspected to contain 62,000 litres of illegally imported Ethanol worth about Rs.40 million.

The stock of Ethanol which was imported from Vietnam was seized at Thotalanga by Excise officers on Wednesday.

Although on many previous occasions the Customs had opened containers containing large stocks of illegally imported goods in the presence of the media, they had refused to do so today giving rise to many questions.

“As the person in charge here, it is my duty to protect the workers and the goods. You media people have no right to enter this area, let me carry out my duties,” Grandpass Warehouse Customs Officer W. Nanayakkara said. “I have to protect my workers from media. If any pictures of the workers are published in papers, they may come under threat,” he said.

When journalists asked why he refused to allow the media to cover this issue unlike in previous instances, he said he could not comment on it.

“I cannot comment on previous issues, if the media wants to cover this they should get permission from the Director General of the Customs or from the Media Spokesman,” Mr. Nanayakkara said.

Journalists then tried to contact the spokesman but failed.

However the container was not opened even though an officer who could handle the matter was present saying they would wait till the owner of the container arrived and asked journalist to leave the premises. (Chathuranga Pradeep and Lahiru Pothmulla)

WATCH

The picture shows the excise officials inspecting the container reported to hold illegally imported ethanol. The government banned the import of ethanol recently with the view of increasing the local production of ethanol, which is the main ingredient in alcohol products. Inset – The Customs officer asking journalists to leave the warehouse complex. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

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Video: Customs officers refuse to open container in media presence

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