India's Gift of Keeri Ponni Samba Rice Stranded in Customs Limbo

Importers are requesting permission to re-export five containers containing 130 metric tons of rice, donated by an Indian businessman for free distribution among the economically struggling people of Sri Lanka, as they have been held in customs custody for nearly four months.

The organization that imported the rice stock informed the Director General of Customs in writing yesterday (24) that there is a risk of the rice becoming unfit for human consumption due to prolonged storage. Therefore, Mr. Ruwan Asuramuni, the president of the organization, has appealed to customs to release the rice stock, even if subject to a penalty, or if that is not possible, to facilitate its re-export.

The rice consignment arrived in the country on August 7th, and requests for its release have been submitted to the relevant authorities since August 10th. The letter states that appeals were made on several occasions to the President, the Ministers of Agriculture and Trade, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance for a customs duty exemption, as the rice consignment is a charitable endeavor for free distribution to the public. However, the chairman points out that the Customs Department has formally informed them that the five containers have been seized under Section 135 of the Customs Ordinance.

Although the Indian businessman concerned even paid the shipping costs to send this consignment of Keeri Ponni Samba rice to Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Trade has stated that a customs duty of Rs. 65 per kilogram must be paid for this rice. Due to these ongoing legal and tax issues, this rice consignment, intended as relief for the people, is currently stranded in the port and is at risk of spoilage.