CEB luxury cars stuck in Port

Two luxury vehicles imported by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) using money from a tsunami relief fund, is lying in the Port with the CEB unable to pay a staggering Customs duty of Rs. 23 million. Monies for the relief fund were allocated through a tsunami fund managed by the Treasury. The CEB received the funding for the restoration of power distribution and transmission in tsunami affected areas.

The two luxury vehicles were imported to be used for a transmission project despite the Treasury in its guidelines notifying that the money cannot be used for such purposes. The money has to be fully utilized for the said project, making allowance to purchase vehicles for transportation and other heavy load construction work.

Ignoring procedure CEB officials received approval from the CEB Tender Board to import the two luxury vehicles at a cost of Rs. 15 million per vehicle. The two vehicles arrived in the country a few days ago. However the Customs authorities assessed the duty as Rs. 23 million. When the Customs authorities informed the CEB Procurement Division, the procurement officer had refused to pay the sum, as it was against Treasury guidelines. With the delay in paying the duty, the CEB will have to pay demurrage charges.