Container clearance drama : Seven top businessmen have benefited : FLSP

Seven businessmen who own 65 importing companies have benefited from the illegal release of 309 containers which were released without proper security checking, The Frontline Socialist Party (FLSP) said yesterday.   
FLSP Secretary Education Affairs Pubudu Jayagoda questioned as to how these businessmen got special treatment even under this government.   
“Around 151 containers out of a total of 308 had been labelled red. More than 37 containers have been released even without scanning while 114 have been subjected to scanning but have been released without physical checking. Further 158 has been labeled as yellow. Around 103 out of this lot has not been subjected to scanning. Samples of 55 yellow labelled containers have not been subjected to checking,” he added.   
“The committee appointed to look into the issue has said there has been a violation of procedures. The Government cannot get away by putting the blame on the officers.   
Quoting the committee report, Jayagoda said some 2218 containers have been released without subjecting them to security checks over the years. Around 999 out of these 2218 has been labeled red.