Fresh evidence on DCSL scam of illegal imports

Despite denials by the Customs Director General S. Jayathilaka, Custom sources insisted this week that the former was stalling the probe into the Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL) and its alleged illegal importation of alcohol under false customs codes.Last week, the Director General refuted claims, saying that no one from the investigation team had even approached him about being sent to France to inspect the shipment of alcohol that were sent back from Colombo in 2006.

But officials involved in the probe said Jayatillake had been approached and asked whether they could continue the investigation in France. “That request was turned down,” one source said. He said the Director General of Customs has asked the investigation to be wrapped up quickly and that a report be submitted.

The source also said that a liquor blender-an expert who controls equipment to re-gauge, filter, rectify, blend and verify proof of whiskeys and other distilled liquors was brought into the country by DCSL in October 2006. The blender apparently came into Sri Lanka under the guise of being a Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) consultant and stayed for one month. The individual is expected to enter the country again this coming week.

Furthermore, The Sunday Times FT is in possession of new Customs documents which allegedly indicate that DCSL imported 80 barrels or 17,600 litres of alcohol on March 14, 2005, declaring that 14,256 of those litres were ethyl alcohol, again importing alcohol into the country under a lowered customs duty. The goods were shipped from De La Tour Caves and Distilleries in France to Periceyl (Private) Ltd, a jointly controlled entity of DCSL, located at Norris Canal Road in Colombo.

On March 14, 2005 Commercial Invoice submitted De La Tour Caves and Distilleries in France, it states that the total amount to be paid in Colombo is Euros 24,633.97 and listed 14,256 litres of alcohol out of the 17,600 as being pure alcohol. However, in the packing list dated March 21, 2005 which was submitted to the Customs Department, the 14,256 litres is being referred to as ethyl alcohol. Sources at the Customs Department allege that DCSL owes the government of Sri Lanka millions of rupees due to declaring the wrong customs code, paying a lower rate of customs duty, VAT, surcharge and excise duty.