Two containers brought down from Japan under the name of a foundation operated by a Cabinet minister were released on Friday by the Customs despite suspicion that one of them contained motor vehicle spare parts, Customs sources said. The 40-foot and 20-foot containers were declared to be carrying 200 used bicycles for the Lakshman Yapa Foundation, [...]

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Minister’s two containers released despite suspicion

Lakshman Yapa says they contain used push bikes, but Customs scan points to motor spare parts
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Two containers brought down from Japan under the name of a foundation operated by a Cabinet minister were released on Friday by the Customs despite suspicion that one of them contained motor vehicle spare parts, Customs sources said. The 40-foot and 20-foot containers were declared to be carrying 200 used bicycles for the Lakshman Yapa Foundation, whose chairman is Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

The two containers which arrived on Tuesday were detained by the Customs Preventive Division after scan reports revealed that one of the containers was believed to be carrying motor vehicle spare parts and not bicycles as declared in the Bill of Lading, Customs officials said. They said suspicion arose because one 20-foot container was enough to carry 200 bicycles and there was no need for two containers.

The containers were detained for investigations, but they were released on Friday night without any inspection. However taxes declared for the used bicycles amounting to Rs. 436,571 had been paid to clear the two containers. Minister Abeywardena told the Sunday Times the two containers were carrying used bicycles to be distributed through his foundation for the poor in his district and were not carrying any motor spare parts.

“Even earlier we have received goods from well-wishers in Japan and distributed them among the people in the area. I even donated an ambulance,” he said.
The minister said the two containers were needed as each of the bicycles had a basket fitted in front.

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