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Customs insists on scanning containers, but drivers express radiation fears
The Customs has decided to cancel permits issued to container drivers who decline to drive through the cargo scanner installed at the Colombo Port, a senior official said.
The move came after several drivers declined to drive through the scanning machines installed at a cost of Rs 2.3 billion and aimed at reducing smuggling of narcotics and other contraband and improve revenue collection.
The drivers have refused to drive through on the grounds that they would be exposed to radiation in the scanning process.
But, the Customs has obtained clearance from the Atomic Energy Board that the drivers would not be exposed to radiation by driving through.
Customs Spokesman Sunil Jayaratne said the scanners were tested last month and had been effective, though the process caused a slight delay in clearing the containers.
He said they had asked the Ports Authority to provide more space so that the scanning process could be expedited and they could clear a container in three minutes.
Mr Jayaratne said more than 2,500 containers were handled daily at the customs.
He said they had plans to start the scanner this month, but some container drivers were trying to avoid the process citing various reasons. “Some of them wanted to go through the manual process, but that is not an accurate checking process. For instance, if drugs are filled into some item, they could be detected by scanning, but it is difficult to identify it manually,” he said.
The spokesman said installation of the scanner was a national project and contraband could enter the country if the scanner was not used.
He said they plan to begin the operations by next month.
Container Transporters Association President Upali Gunawardena told the Sunday Times that they would extend support to the scanning process, but during the trial some of the container drivers had shown signs of illness and had asked that a medical test be performed on them for radiation.
However, he said the Customs had not responded to the request and some of the drivers had expressed fears to travel through.
He said some of the persons carrying out illegal practices had also scared the drivers about consequences of travelling through the scanners. He said also measures should be taken to avoid delays in clearing containers.