State Minister calls for report on allegation against Customs

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has called for a report regarding allegations that the Customs was blocking the release of some 400,000 kilo grams  of milk powder.

The report has been called after the allegation was levelled by Dr Lakshman Weerasuriya representing the milk food importers.

He claimed that a letter sent to the Customs on October 5  had been forwarded to the Import Controller on October 19 who had waited for 35 more days to respond to the Customs.

He said the Import Controller had directed to favrouably consider the proposal, but the Customs had said that they did not understand the term and referred it back to the Import Controller.

Dr Weerasuriya said that finally the Customs had placed a detention order .

"The Customs is now trying to auction the milk powder for the proudction of poultry food", he said.

However, the Customs  reacting to the allegation said that the milk stocks have been held due to an investigation and that details will be released soon.

But, Mr Weerasuriya claimed that the actions by the Customs is creating a shortage of milk food in the country.and it was done deliberately to gain commissions by detaining the stocks and autioning them.