Over 1000 vehicles not cleared by importers remain at the Hambantota Port, Customs Media Spokesman Director Chandana Punchihewa revealed.
He said these vehicles have been at the Hmbantota Port for around 3 months, and 625 vehicles among them have exceeded six months.
He added that the situation is damaging the country's economy. During a severe exchange crisis, traders are wasting foreign exchange by importing vehicles, failing to clear them, and leaving them unused.
He noted that if importers do not clear vehicles within a month, using the power granted under Section 109 of the Customs Ordinance, selling those goods or calling for tenders, the Customs can take steps to recover the stipulated fund.
Customs spokesman Punchihewa added:
"However, if the importer provides details, requests time, and states that they will clear the goods, permission can be granted for that. Even if such steps exist, this is not such a good thing for the country's economy. This is a time we are in a very severe exchange crisis. Foreign exchange is wasted through importers spending foreign exchange, bringing down vehicles, not clearing them, and not using them in the country's economic process. Blocking the port premises in this manner is also a loss for the port. This is negative impact on the country's economy. Action was taken last week to sell 25 vehicles through a tender like this. However, only 11 vehicles were sold."
He said these vehicles have been at the Hmbantota Port for around 3 months, and 625 vehicles among them have exceeded six months.
He added that the situation is damaging the country's economy. During a severe exchange crisis, traders are wasting foreign exchange by importing vehicles, failing to clear them, and leaving them unused.
He noted that if importers do not clear vehicles within a month, using the power granted under Section 109 of the Customs Ordinance, selling those goods or calling for tenders, the Customs can take steps to recover the stipulated fund.
Customs spokesman Punchihewa added:
"However, if the importer provides details, requests time, and states that they will clear the goods, permission can be granted for that. Even if such steps exist, this is not such a good thing for the country's economy. This is a time we are in a very severe exchange crisis. Foreign exchange is wasted through importers spending foreign exchange, bringing down vehicles, not clearing them, and not using them in the country's economic process. Blocking the port premises in this manner is also a loss for the port. This is negative impact on the country's economy. Action was taken last week to sell 25 vehicles through a tender like this. However, only 11 vehicles were sold."
