A member of the Commercial Hub Operators Association said that they as investors who have brought in millions of dollars to setup and help Sri Lanka to develop logistics services are saddened by the way in which the media of Sri Lanka and the border protection agency is handling events and condemns such irresponsible behaviour. 

The Customs have the fullest authority under the hub act to examine any suspicious item or a container under this law by informing the BOI he said. At the same time the Customs system can trigger any unlawful HS code if it is the case. 

“Our members have invested between $ 5 million to 10 million minimum and have constructed warehousing and storage facilities and created around 10,000 direct and indirect jobs to the country and brought in much-needed foreign currency in a very short span of time whilst marketing the country in international events as a logistics hub,” a spokesman said.  “We also help increase ports throughput. Our members rework many products, such as tyres, rubber products, wines, equipment, clothing, machinery, confectionery, beverages, liquor, hangers, non-hazardous raw materials, electrical and electronics items and have included massive investment in Hambantota to re-export energy. It is unfair to treat us in this way instead of appreciating our investments and economic contribution to Sri Lanka and help the country to join the global supply chains as a logistics hub,” he added.

Garbage, media and pragmatism