Govt.'s arbitrary actions disrupt Customs Department activities : Opposition Leader

The activites of the customs department which generate a lot of income to the government has been disrupted due to the arbitrary actions of the government, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Issuing a press release, the former President claimed that the activities of those in the government have now created suspicion since it seems that they are acting according to their own whims and fancies instead of listening to the President.

During the last two years, the Customs Department reported that certain key political figures were involved in corrupt activities, he said.

"It has also been reported that officials in the department who acted against these corrupt activities have been subjected to undue political influence in the recent past" Mr. Rajapaksa added on the same note.

He pointed out that the appointment of four Director Generals to the Customs Department is a testament to the seriousness of this issue.

The Opposition Leader proceeded to explain that customs officials had to resort to trade union action since the Director General who had performed her duties accurately was transferred to the Public Administration Unit.

"Due to trade union action the clearance of stocks and imports have been affected" Mr. Rajapaksa said while adding that this could lead to a price hike on certain essential goods.

"The government should take the entire resposibility if this situation occurs".

Opposition Leader Rajapaksa signed off by expressing hope that the government would enter into talks with the relevant trade unionists and take adequate measures to resolve the problem.