CID probing pepper re-export racket

News

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has commenced an extensive investigation into a massive racket involving the re-export of pepper, Minister of Primary Industries and Social Empowerment Daya Gamage stated today.

By Sandun Jayawardana
The Minister was responding to a point raised by Chief Opposition Whip Mahinda Amaraweera during today’s Committee Stage debate of the Budget regarding the scam involving the re-export of pepper after falsely labeling the stocks as having originated from Sri Lanka.

Mr Amaraweera pointed out that the scam had the potential to cause irreparable damage to Sri Lanka. The re-export of low quality pepper imported from other countries after falsely labeling them to have originated from Sri Lanka will hurt Sri Lanka’s pepper market, he pointed out.

Minister Gamage revealed that Customs documents related to 156 containers allegedly containing imported stocks of pepper that were to be used in the re-export scam have been forwarded to the CID to conduct an extensive probe.

He further said measures have been taken to notify India about pepper shipments in order to identify containers that were being illegally re-exported as part of the scam.

Cabinet has also taken a decision to prohibit the import of spices such as pepper and cinnamon, he further said.

Comments

Still No Comments Posted.

Leave Comments

Most Reviews

May 31, 2025

- 478 - 0

Flt Lt Kasun Cumaratunga , more than a pilot, a guardian remembered on his 37th death anniversary

Kasun, was born in 28th Sept 1964, the grandson of the legendary author and linguist Munidasa Cumaratunga and son of SSP Bindu Kumaratunga and Winifred

June 2, 2025

- 447 - 0

National Tax week launched

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) backed by the Excise and Customs Department today launched a fresh drive to collect taxes including some Rs.780 billion listed as ‘collectable defaults’.

June 2, 2025

- 348 - 0

SriLankan Airlines’ new A330 Fleet to perform low fly past over Colombo on Wed.

May 29, 2025

- 259 - 0

Mahindananda and Nalin Fernando Jailed

Former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando have sentenced to 20 and 25 years respectively after they were found guilty in a case of fraud.

May 30, 2025

- 254 - 0

In Pix: Weather situation in Colombo

June 3, 2025

- 185 - 0

Krishanthi Kumaraswami convicts FR dismissed by SC

The Supreme Court today unanimously dismissed a Fundamental Rights petition filed by five convicts in the 1996 Krishanthi Kumaraswamy abduction, rape, and murder case.