Johnston orders probe on faulty container scanner at Colombo Port

Minister of Roads and Highways, Ports and Shipping Johnston Fernando made an urgent inspection visit in the Customs terminal at the Colombo Port on Thursday to probe the traffic jam that had prevailed in the scanning premises.

During the inspection it was revealed that traffic jam had been caused due to a newly-installed scanning machine. This scanning process had been assigned to a private company via a tender during the previous regime and 2.5 acres of land owned by Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) has been allocated to for its usage. The company is owned by a minister of the previous Government.

Deviating from the conventional procedure of allocating lands own by SLPA to an external party, this company hasn’t made any payment to SLPA up to date despite the agreement to pay Rs. 45 million per month. This company is charging $ 12 to scan a single container and 2,000 to 2,500 containers are being scanned on a daily basis. Regardless of the huge daily income received, this company has failed to make any payment to SLPA observing the agreement.

During the discussion held with the trade union representatives and container drivers it was revealed that several issues exist in this regard.

In this manner it will take 35 minutes to scan one container, resulting in a big traffic jam. Furthermore as this company switches off the scanner occasionally resulting in time wasted and efficiency of the process dropping. 

As a result of irregular scanning process the Colombo Port will lose its status as an efficient and effective service provider. Wasting of manpower, time and fuel will hinder organisational success. Health issues have also been arisen since the container drivers have to drive through the scanner, getting exposed to electromagnetic waves. However needed facilities are not here to carry out this scanning process without drivers as per the international standard.

Considering all the factors in this regard Minister Johnston Fernando ordered the relevant officials to suspend the scanning process till a proper investigation is done.