November 01, Colombo (LNW): Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has dismissed reports circulating on social media that the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating the controversial release of 323 containers from the Colombo Port has lost its findings, insisting that the inquiry report is nearing completion.
Nanayakkara, who heads the committee, described the claims as baseless, maintaining that all records, witness statements and supporting evidence collected during the investigation remain securely in Parliament’s possession.
He explained that the committee had concluded its examination of witnesses and gathered a considerable amount of documentary material. The extensive nature of the investigation, however, had made the preparation of the final findings a more time-consuming exercise than originally anticipated.
According to the Minister, the report has already been drafted and is currently undergoing its final stages of preparation. He expects the typing and compilation of the completed document to be concluded by the end of next week.
He also confirmed that Parliament had granted the committee additional time to complete its work, extending its mandate until 21 December 2026. The extension is intended to provide sufficient time for the submission of the final report and its recommendations.
Questioning the motives behind the claims circulating online, Nanayakkara suggested that certain opposition politicians could be involved in promoting misleading information about the progress of the inquiry.
The committee was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the release of 323 containers from Colombo Port without the mandatory physical examination by Customs officials. The incident attracted considerable public attention and raised serious questions about the effectiveness of existing inspection procedures, regulatory oversight and accountability within the Customs Department.
Reaffirming his position, the Minister said the investigation had not been compromised by any missing records and assured the public that the committee would deliver its findings within the newly approved timeframe.
