Former MP Udaya Gammanpila Summoned

12-Jun-2025

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Former Member of Parliament, Udaya Gammanpila, was summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to provide a statement regarding his comments about 323 containers being released from customs without inspection.

The former MP appeared before the CID on June 10.

Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya party and former Member of Parliament, stated that officials connected to the release of the 323 uninspected containers are attempting to flee to Belgium and Australia. He also expressed that it's unfair to investigate those who made the complaint instead of probing the alleged malpractice itself.

He made these remarks to the media after appearing before the CID to give a statement concerning the issue of the 323 uninspected containers.

He further elaborated that customs trade unions had stated that 323 containers were released from customs without any inspection. Additionally, he noted that Ports Minister Bimal Ratnayake had reportedly issued the order for their release.

Gammanpila added that the government has not taken a firm stance on the contents of these containers. He claimed that the Customs Department has been inconsistent in its statements over the past couple of months. He affirmed his intention to publicly disclose details about the goods within these containers.

He reiterated his concern that officials involved in the release of the 323 uninspected containers are trying to escape to Belgium and Australia, emphasizing the need for a travel ban to be imposed on them first. He stressed again that it is unjust to investigate those who lodged the complaint instead of investigating the alleged irregularities.

Finally, Gammanpila asserted that the government is attempting to intimidate him and is trying various methods to imprison him, but he believes the government's efforts will not succeed.