HS Codes or Harmonized System to be subject to strict scrutiny

Colombo (News 1st); During the next few years, goods belonging to HS Codes that are currently inspected by customs, will not be released to the market until final inspection test is carried out, State Minister of Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanna said. Speaking during a media briefing, the State Minister said goods more than 3500 of 5000 HS Codes are not inspected by authorities when imported to Sri Lanka. ''It was the Food Regulatory Authority of the Ministry of Health that initially found out that the coconut oil imported to the country contained carcinogenic elements,'' Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardena said. The Trade Minister said it was recommended to re-export the coconut oil to its respective countries, when the Sri Lanka Standard Institute also voiced the same concern. Minister Gunawardena assured that the stock containing carcinogenic elements has not been released to the market. Responding to queries raised by journalists, Director General of Customs Major General (Rtd.) Vijitha Ravipriya said the toxic coconut oil was imported by 3 companies named Ali Brothers, Katana Refineries and Edirisinghe Edible. Legal action will be taken against these companies if investigations reveal that this stock has been released to the market, the Customs Director-General added.