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Customs officials to probe unauthorised UNDP cargo
By Dhanuusha Pathirana
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has allegedly ignored the findings of an investigation by the Customs Department regarding the detection of satellite antennas, base satellite antennas, mobile vehicle radios and two million contraceptive injections in one of its consignments which its officials attempted to clear without proper approval.

Bandaranaike International Airport Air Cargo Director Lal Perera said it was more than two weeks since the detection but no authorised official of the UNDP had met them. he said they had only sent written requests asking that the cargo be released.

“The UNDP had sent only one of its employees to clear the cargo and he had no response to the questions by Customs officials regarding the unauthorised equipment”, he said.

Mr. Perera said Customs authorities would be compelled to carry out further investigations next week into the consignment which had arrived from Belgium.
The UNDP cargo certificate for clearance issued by the Foreign Ministry did not mention the satellite antennas and the contraceptives, but stated that the luggage comprised walkie-talkie parts which were not found inside.

The Cargo Director said since the UNDP was an internationally recognised organisation and the Customs normally did not check its cargo. However, on a tip-off that the UNDP cargo contained ammunition for the LTTE the cargo was inspected by the officials.

The importation of contraceptive injections without Health Ministry approval is illegal. UNFPA National Programme Assistant Tanya Weerasuriya said there appeared to be a mix up in the cargo and that the matter was being investigated.

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