The Colombo High Court sentenced three former Customs Superintendents and an Assistant Customs Superintendent to 35 years of rigorous imprisonment each after convicting them to all charges in the indictment the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption served against them on 09.07.2021. They were indicted for soliciting a bribe of Rs. 150 Million and accepting Rs. 125 Million from the complainant of this case, promising to halt the investigations of Sri Lanka Customs conducted on bus spare parts imported for Sri Lanka Transport Board from Steel Impex Industries, India., duty-free, and to release him from paying the duty. The Court further ordered each accused to pay a fine of Rs. 125 Million to the government.

The accused have initiated an investigation against the complainant in 2014, stating that he had committed VAT and Duty fraud while selling the spare parts and tyres to SLTB depots, even though the goods were released from duty and other taxes. Although the tax exemption was revealed during the investigation, the accused have continued the investigation with evil intent and initially solicited Rs. 150 Million to end the investigation against the complainant and have later brought the amount down to Rs. 125 Million. The complainant complained the matter to the Commission on 22.09.2015. Accordingly, the Commission took action to arrange a raid and arrested the suspects. After subsequent investigations, the Commission filed indictments against them under 14 charges.

Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, Assistant Director General Ms. Thanuja Bandara, Senior State Counsel Udara Karunatilake, and Assistant Director (Legal) Anusha Sammandapperuma appeared for the prosecution.