The Government has appointed a five-member ministerial committee to expedite the investigations into the goods detained by the Sri Lanka Customs.

The committee has been appointed on the directions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, after considering the prolonged investigative procedures by the Customs.

“As a result of the delay, the goods detained end up damaged or perished and ultimately with no value addition to the economy. Most of the machinery and vehicles get eroded whilst other goods expire,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena said at the post–Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

He said the committee will be required to study all related matters, identify any amendments that need to be made to the Customs Ordinance and thereafter present recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers.

The five-member committee comprises of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Plantation and Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugama and Finance State Ministers Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Shehan Semasinghe.

The proposal to this effect submitted by Nimal Siripala de Silva was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday.

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