President orders authorities to curb smuggling of gold out of the country

President Maithripala Sirisena has ordered the relevant authorities to take measures to curb gold being taken out of the country illegally.

A special meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the President to discuss the measures need to be taken to curb illegal gold smuggling.

The tri-forces and the Police have disclosed information that the gold bought from the auctions at State and commercial banks are being illegally taken out of the country on a large scale.

The President held extensive discussions with the relevant officials on possible measures that can be taken to prevent the smuggling and ordered swift and organised action to control the trade.

President Sirisena instructed officials of the Central Bank, State and commercial banks to provide accurately prepared documents on bank auctions. It has been also decided to provide legal and practical arrangements to curb the illegal activity with the cooperation of the Attorney General’s Department, three armed forces and the Police.

Officials of the Finance Ministry and the Treasury, chiefs of tri-forces and the Police, heads of State and commercial banks, and other Government officials participated in the discussion. (Colombopage)