Rs. 4.5 billion fine to be imposed on 13 leading jewellers for gold smuggling

25 May 2024 10:30 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 33

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By Ranjan Kasturi

Colombo, May 25 (Daily Mirror)- Sri Lanka Customs have raided 13 leading jewellery-making institutions and seized a stock of gold smuggled into the country and a fine of Rs. 4.5 billion is to be imposed in this regard, the Daily Mirror learns.

There are a few leading jewellery business operators involved in this racket, according to information available. It is learnt that these business operators have continued to bring gold from India through unlawful means for a long time denying tax revenue to the government.

Daily Mirror learns that there is a sinister move involving some customs officials to underestimate the value of gold stock seized for dubious transactions at the moment. The customs authorities suspect that gold items have been smuggled in boats from India and payments have been made through unlawful methods.

Comments - 33

David Aponso - from Dolosbage Saturday, 25 May 2024 10:47 AM

Is it from Mahinananda Aluthgamage? He has two Jewellery shops at BIA and one in Kandy and one in Kurunegala. He is also a gold smuggler.

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joshua Saturday, 25 May 2024 03:41 PM

He is a farmer's Devil who destroyed their lives joining hands with Gota who did not know anything. No wonder he has made enough money through politics to owns jewellery shops. It is always difficult to believe these fellows will do ethical business and also pay taxes accordingly. IRD fellows do not have an inch of backbone to behind these morons.

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Jewelly shops are business MPs want to be in Saturday, 25 May 2024 05:49 PM

Not just him, MPs all can make money better than others by getting into gold jewelry selling business. Travel overseas to personal business is common for MPs, and Ali Sabry Raheem getting caught for it is just one example. And what happened to him, pay a puny fine, and still in Parliament.

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Leo Saturday, 25 May 2024 07:15 PM

ane harako. Do you don't know the difference between manufacturer and a shop?

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Haren Saturday, 25 May 2024 10:48 AM

Question is from where is he going to get money for 4.5b?

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Prof. J.A. Jayasinghe Saturday, 25 May 2024 10:49 AM

For your information IGP, there are four MPs. all from Potuwa does gold smuggling business, they were Ministers under Mahinda's regime.

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Shanker Supramaniam Saturday, 25 May 2024 11:02 AM

Public should know the names of these jewellery men and the quantity seized from each of them.

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BuffaloaCitizen Saturday, 25 May 2024 11:32 AM

This has been going on for centuries though it is highlighted like something new. The parties involved are the Sri Lanka Customs, Navy and some Ministers.

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Sokrates Saturday, 25 May 2024 11:49 AM

An act of self-defense against Ranil's corrupt regime and his failed economic policies. An opportunity that is unfortunately only available to businessmen and not to ordinary people.

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Jega Saturday, 25 May 2024 01:08 PM

Don't blame Ranil for everything. Not only gold, many items are brought to the country through smugling and it happend during the period of all governments. Many corrupt officers support this. Ranil cannot go and catch smuglers at the airport. Just name one institution in SL without bribery. To eleminate bribery, the whole system has to be overhauled.

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Sokrates Saturday, 25 May 2024 02:29 PM

@ Jega. Ranil is the Executive President. This means he is responsible for all ministries and government departments. So far he has done nothing to eradicate the rampant corruption and has not even removed corrupt ministers. So it is justified to blame Ranil.

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RANIL IS TOO WEAK AND THEREFORE CORRUPTION WILL CONTINUEM THEREFORE WE NEED SOMEONE WHO WILL RULE WITH A IRON ROD IRRESPECTIVE WHO GETS CAUGHT IN THE WEB OF ALL FORMS OFCORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT AND PU Saturday, 25 May 2024 05:58 PM

Jega, if RANIL took those responsible for the downfall of the Country and accepted the Supreme Courts findings people would have respected him far more than most do atm. instead, he swept it under the carpet and so heaps more corruption and or detections have come to light. RANIL has himself to blame for the anger of the people.

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We are happy with ruler holding a stick Sunday, 26 May 2024 09:20 AM

Ranil is an ANGEL compared to the Rajapassas and Bakthiars. Ranil rushed in where other angels like Sajth, AKD, etc, feared to even tread. That is his mistake Ranil did, this as he has nothing to gain nor to lose, by accepting a position in an ungrateful nation.

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joshua Saturday, 25 May 2024 12:03 PM

Great. What about the ali babasa of thieves in that parliament?

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The wicked crooks of Parliament get away with much worse Saturday, 25 May 2024 01:54 PM

The MP who smuggled phones and gold gets away with a small fine. That was just one of the many tricks MPs use with their position to make themselves rich. The crooks in Parliament are bigger concern for public than any small time jewelry shops.

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Grace Saturday, 25 May 2024 01:27 PM

Most of the gold businessmen are Indians and have connections with powerful persons here. The authorities should not waste publics money and resources and ultimately nothing will happen.

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Price of gold will go up, public will suffer Saturday, 25 May 2024 01:52 PM

There is so much losses from having too much Army people that revenue from customs can never cover for it. The Ministers want to waste dollars will brand new imported cars too. The public has use of gold for wedding rings and other things of importance. The fining will only cause prices to go up. Better to reduce waste in government instead of trying to catch small gold businessman.

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Janaka Saturday, 25 May 2024 07:48 PM

Rubbish. This is to concede that we agree for a section to flout the law.

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A.P.Ramkumar Saturday, 25 May 2024 02:18 PM

What a joke, No one brings gold from India, because gold price is consistently high when compared with Sri Lanka gold market. Most of the gold coming through Airports and coming from Dubai.

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Fact Saturday, 25 May 2024 03:31 PM

Gold is just one of those items that are brought into the country through informal channels. Traders in Pettah won't possess a valid purchase voucher for 90 pct of their goods. That's how things work here. The whole system is corrupt.

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Is Customs able to fine Companies? Saturday, 25 May 2024 03:34 PM

Does Customs have the authority to impose fines? Is Customs part of our Judiciary? Should not this have gone to the courts for a determination?

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Mahila Sunday, 26 May 2024 04:09 AM

That's as per Customs Ordinance!!?? Otherwise, how will the customs operate!?? They may have to incarcerate passengers, including so-called, "Tourists" in REMAND, until "Case filed in court, prosecuted, defended and concluded/determined sentence passed"!!?? Months, if not Years!! If tourist with 30-day visa (as example), he would overstay his welcome Period!!??? No Brainer!!?? That's international Practice!!??

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Mahila Sunday, 26 May 2024 04:22 AM

NO!!?? They are not part of Judiciary but have delegated Powers int he "first Instance" to remedy an Illegitimacy, or illegal act by an offender, with right of appeal to Judiciary in that STATE!!?? Just like the RMV/Commissioner of Motor Traffic (CMT) has delegated Judicial Powers to Fine Motorists in the first instance, for SPECIFIED INFRINGEMENS of Road Rules!!! With, RIGHT OF APPEAL!!?? This is enforced by (Poorly remunerated) Police in the "first Instance", depending on whether they had the "wherewithal" to have their "Morning Tea and Breakfast", to eliminate, "the Pangs of Hunger" after 12 hour gestation from the time of their last MEAL!! Common Term - colloquial terminology - SANTHOSAM (POCKET MONEY)!! Absolute downright corruption!!??

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Hon. Sarneris Saturday, 25 May 2024 05:37 PM

This is stupid. Gold price in India is always higher than Sri Lanka due to higher taxes. Usually the smuggling goes from Sri Lanka to India and NOT the other way around.

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Amu Horaa Saturday, 25 May 2024 06:24 PM

Mahindananda must show cause why he should not be arrested

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sam Saturday, 25 May 2024 07:10 PM

Name them

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Sam Saturday, 25 May 2024 07:27 PM

Gold comes from Japan, that’s with imported vehicles, panels are gold, that’s how the vehicle importers make profit.

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Shera Saturday, 25 May 2024 07:40 PM

This is significant but nothing new. Circumventing customs or smuggling with the help of some corrupt customs officials has been happening with every generation. People who have connections know how to work it out. Glad the police are working hard to break it up.

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Mahmood Ashraf Saturday, 25 May 2024 07:49 PM

import from india??? india is a selling market not a buying market!!

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Patcitz Sunday, 26 May 2024 01:41 AM

Non can succeed, without the involvement of ROGUE politicians' support, this has been happening for years, so why does Ranil order to act right now is the question raised by the general public? Cut ties with India immediately, repaying their loan, their relationship is dangerous to Sri Lankaa and its citizens at large in future.

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Sambo Sunday, 26 May 2024 07:25 AM

Custom officers are another set of corrupted officers who does anything for money. For example look at there houses.

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Tupac Sunday, 26 May 2024 09:07 AM

All trades in sea street smuggle it's a known fact !! Gold and all duty free items!! Even shops selling Indian items.. no one cant stop this!! Unless Anura comes to power

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DAR Sunday, 26 May 2024 04:25 PM

Why can't government allow people to maintain gold accounts at banks similar to their savings accounts. Many countries do that. Its inflation proof. its a metal that people can convert to any international currency in an event of rupee depreciation. Central bank's monopoly on gold created the black market. Why are we punishing people who bring us gold as long as it finds its way to banking system?

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