Lanka web: Sri Lanka: Friday,
October 14, 2016.
One-time head
of the Customs Revenue Task Force Nagananda Kodituwakku yesterday revealed that
20 vehicles which had been imported by affluent persons using vehicle permits
issued to sitting members of Parliament were registered by the Commissioner
General of Motor Traffic.
Appearing on
Sirasa ‘Pathikada’ anchored by Bandula Jayasekera, attorney-at-law Kodituwakku
said that he had obtained all relevant information pertaining to importation of
the vehicles as well as their registration from Customs and Commissioner
General of Motor Traffic on the basis of Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Kodituwakku
revealed the names of all 20 members of parliament who had sold permits as well
as the buyers. He also mentioned the tax exemption received by new owners.
All members
of parliament voted for the RTI Act in the wake of high profile campaign
spearheaded by several NGOs.
Alleging that
successive governments had allowed members to misuse duty-free vehicle permits,
Kodituwakku asserted that the loss of revenue to the state could be over Rs 7
bn in case over 200 members of 225 member parliament sold their permits.
“Permits are
available for Rs 25 mn in clandestine market. Each illegal import and
registration deprives state of revenue amounting to Rs 33.5 mn.”
Responding to
a query from Jayasekera, Kodituwakku said that members of the JVP parliamentary
group hadn’t so far sold duty free car permits received by them. The JVP group
comprises six, including two National List members.Kodituwakku asserted that in
the wake of Sirasa revelation the JVP would think twice before selling its duty
free permits.
The
attorney-at-law castigated all political parties represented in parliament for
unashamedly abusing duty free vehicle permits at the expense of national
economy. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption
(CIABOC) could move courts against those who had abused duty free vehicle
permits, Kodituwakku said.
In a separate
interview with The Island, Kodituwakku emphasized that though only 20 vehicles,
almost all Toyota Land Cruisers, had been registered so far, 70 vehicles were
imported using duty free permits issued to members of parliament. The
attorney-at-law pointed out that the identities of those who had bought the
balance 50 vehicles could be revealed once they registered those vehicles.
“Thanks to
RTI we can secure vital information without much trouble,” Kodituwakku said.
The former
top customs officer said that he had an opportunity to meet Commissioner
General of Motor Traffic and discuss the issues pertaining to illegal import of
vehicles.
Kodituwakku said
that he had to quit Customs in late 2001 and leave the country following the
detection of three vehicles imported by two senior national cricketers and an
influential businessman using duty free vehicle permits issued to a hotel down
South. The then administration reacted angrily and brought immense pressure on
the Customs to get rid of me, attorney-at-law Kodituwakku said. The lawyer
named the three persons who had imported vehicles using duty free permits
issued to the hotel.
An irate
Kodituwakku said that he fled the country with the intervention of the British
High Commission. Kodituwakku alleged that the then administration went out of
its way to sabotage the inquiry with one of the wrongdoers causing serious
trouble.
Kodituwakku
said that the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government had launched a high profile
campaign against corruption. But the very government had allowed members of
parliament to sell their duty free permits at the expense of the national
economy.
In fact, the
corrupt practice had been encouraged by successive governments to ensure
members received funds to pursue luxurious lifestyles, Kodituwakku alleged.
He said the
national economy needed a tremendous boost. The government couldn’t further
delay taking, both short and long term tangible measures to enhance revenue to
meet the deteriorating situation. There should be a comprehensive review of tax
structure as well as perks and privileges given to various segments of the
society, Kodituwakku said.
Responding to
another query, the attorney-at-law explained ways and means of halting illegal
vehicle imports when they (buyers of duty free vehicle permits issued to
members of parliament) sought to open Letters of Credit at state owned or
private banks.
Kodituwakku
alleged that both major parties, the UNP and the SLFP as well as those who had
been aligned to them were acting contrary to the laws of the country. Those who
had vigorously campaigned for so called January Revolution should pressure the
government to stop corruption.
Kodituwakku
said that vehicles permits had been issued to MPs to make a killing as they had
other means of obtaining a vehicle and in some instances two for their use.
.JPG)
.JPG)
