Customs to initiate investigation on garbage containers

Colombo (News 1st): A complaint was lodged at the Police Headquarters calling to immediately conduct an investigation on those who brought down garbage containers to the country. Surakimu Sri Lanka National Movement lodged a complaint to investigate into the company and those who were involved in importing waste material to Sri Lanka. The complaint also called for an investigation to be conducted against state institutions including the Board of Investment and the Central Environmental Authority. Chairman of the Surakimu Sri Lanka National Movement Venerable Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thero noted that the BOI should be held responsible. He went onto question if the BOI has at least collected the value added tax on these waste materials according to the Gazette notification. The Thero added that they speak about re-exporting, but only 29 containers have been re-exported and they have piled up the garbage illegally. He said there is a risk of diseases being spread when the garbage is dumped in this manner. According to the revelations made by the Customs, 130 containers imported from the United Kingdom have been taken to the Export Processing Zone in Katunayake while 111 containers are kept at the Colombo International Container Terminal at the Colombo Port. This is the garbage brought in these containers in the guise of mattresses. When one inspects closely, maggots and broken pieces of glasses can be seen. It is questionable if the value could be added to these waste material and be re-exported. The footage suggests that waste including toxic chemical waste could also be included. Can the authorities confirm that these waste material do not include toxic chemicals? It is common knowledge that people who go into wells that have been shut over a long period of time have even died. Inspecting these containers that were closed for a long period, could also be dangerous. Suspicions have also arisen that the waste material may include equipment used in hospitals and other clinical waste. It is also questionable if the clinical waste that washed ashore in many areas including Puttalam, is also what was dumped in the seas. Who should be held responsible for the garbage containers under the custody of the Customs? Sri Lanka Customs media spokesperson Sunil Jayaratne noted that the main stakeholder is Hayleys Free Zone Private Limited and this company also has the right and legal capacity to enter into agreements with third parties. He added that as per that contract they had come to an agreement with a company by the name of ETL Colombo Private Ltd and a 4th party by the name of Ceylon Metal Processing Corporation Ltd was also involved. Jayaratne noted that the company that actually imported the consignment of containers has been identified as ETL Colombo Pvt. Ltd. General Secretary of the SLFP Dayasiri Jayasekara speaking at a press conference noted that the company is named Vengaads in the UK and it is owned by Venkadesha Muthurajan and it is the waste material from the UK that's being brought down to Sri Lanka. He said the Hayley's Free Zone Company hands this over to a subcontractor named Metal Processing Corporation Private Limited and the owner of this is Shashi Kumar Muthurajan. MP Jayasekara noted that they have to find out how he relates to Venkadesha Muthurajan. He pointed out that 130 containers have been imported 12 times with 2488 tonnes of waste material and the material is sent back after removing metal and several other things. He questioned; "Is this what you call investment?" Showing a copy of the bill of lading and other related documents of the containers at the port he said that the documents show that the waste material dumped in the port were also to be sent to where the garbage containers were sent in the previous instances. Ven. Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thero noted that ETL company says that they do not take the responsibility and then the Ceylon Metal Processing Corporation says that they are not involved. He added that Shashikumar also says the same thing and Hayleys says that it does not involve them. He questioned the officials at Hayleys, "if you say that you are not involved, how is this being kept at the land you own?"

POLITICIANS REACTION

Speaking about the garbage issue UNP MP Chaminda Wijesiri noted that the people must now understand who tried to import garbage into Sri Lanka, through the gazette issued on the 7th of November 2013. He noted that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is responsible for this as they published a gazette, detrimental to the country, that paved the way for such garbage to be imported into Sri Lanka. He points, however now, like a saint, he says he loves the people and will save the country and not let any harm to be caused. MP Wijesri pointed out that they are facing this crisis at present because they permitted the import of garbage containers to the country. He noted that it was their government that found out, imported garbage for the purpose of re-exporting remained in the country, causing damage to the environment. UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardena also speaking regarding the matter noted that the government headed by Mahinda Rajapaksa did not support or approve the import of garbage into Sri Lanka. He said Minister Malik Samarawickrema issued a gazette under the controversial Singapore free trade agreement, including rules and regulation required to import waste into Sri Lanka. The parliamentarian noted that this garbage scandal was empowered through the Singapore free trade agreement and the entire UNP must take responsibility. He added that garbage does not fall from the sky and if the culprits responsible in this regard, are not identified and punished, even harmful and dangerous weapons can be brought into the country, under the guise of garbage. He questioned: "Who is responsible for the garbage consignment? Were the garbage containers re-exported? What happened to the remaining containers?"  He noted that the president can order the CID to launch an investigation immediately in this regard and to give a proper picture to the entire country.

PARLIAMENT DEBATES ON GARBAGE CRISIS

The Garbage crisis was taken for debate in parliament today (July 23). However, a tense argument arose since the ministers were not in parliament to provide answers. UNP MP Hesha Vithanage questioned; "How was the approval given for this garbage to be brought? Who is involved in this?" He noted that the people involved are saying it was not them when everyone can clearly see what has taken place. He questioned if there is a solution without linking this to the government. However, responding to this Chief Government Whip Minister Gayantha Karunathilake noted that MP Anura Kumara too has raised a question regarding the garbage today under 27/2.  He said that the Finance Minister will provide a detailed answer. Speaking in parliament UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa noted that there are no ministers to provide answers to a single question. He said the parliamentarians are being deprived of their rights and requested the speaker to take steps to change this situation. Speaker noted that he has spoken about this issue on several occasions. UNP MP Ananda Aluthgamage noted that the ministers cannot provide an answer and they are speechless against the questions that they raised and they are outside. He noted that they do not take their seats in the Parliament instead they remain eating outside. Leader of the JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake commenting on the garbage issue noted that even if the government is not going to provide a solution to this issue, they should have come and provided answers. He noted that this was raised last Friday and even after raising this, they have been unable to provide a statement. He added that it seems like there are facts showing that they are trying to conceal this issue. He went onto note that if a cube of sand is obtained that person will be jailed. He requested that the law is enacted against the rich and powerful. He questioned the parliament; "How many containers with garbage have been brought down? What is the time frame? What company brought it down? Who is in the Board of Directors of this company? How many containers have been re-exported? How many are still in the country? When will the containers in the port be re-exported? When will the law be enacted against those who are carrying out this racket?" After questioning the Government Whip, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya noted that answers will be provided within this week. Adding to this MP Wimal Weeawansa also questioned: "Why are the companies involved not being revealed? Why is the law not being enacted against them? Why are they not being questioned?" He said from the way the government is acting one can sense that there is involvement. The Speaker noted that the matter pertaining to the Ministers being here to provide answers has been provided in writing as well.

CUSTOMS TO INVESTIGATE

The Finance Minister has ordered the Director-General of Customs to carry out an investigation and provide a report regarding the waste containers. According to a media release issued by the Finance Ministry, the Minister has made this order today (July 23) after returning to the island. The media release says if a certain party has violated any law or regulation when it comes to the import of these containers stern action will be taken against those parties.