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| Saturday, 18 December 2004 |
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by Sarath Malalasekera The Indian Customs delegation in Sri Lanka to discuss Indo-Sri Lanka bilateral talks on anti-smuggling and other related matter yesterday agreed to a request by Sri Lankan Customs Director General Sarath Jayatilleke to train several Sri Lankan Customs officials on value issues, specially under value development in database tax value for the clearance of goods without loosing revenue to the Customs Department. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Director General India A.P. Sudhir, who led the Indian Customs delegations at the talks, emphasised that he would explore the possibility of enhancing the number of Sri Lankan officers to undergo training in valuation and intelligence. The Indian Customs leader said he would make arrangements to look into the Sri Lankan Customs Director General's request regarding training of Customs officers specially on Revenue Intelligence and Tax value. Indian Customs authorities also agreed to extend co-operation to expedite the clearance of goods like walltiles held in Indian ports. Jayatilleke agreed to assist the Indian Customs in respect of 160 boats lying in the Mandapam sea area causing severe hardship to the Indian authorities. He said this is entirely in the hands of the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry. "But I will negotiate with the local Ministry and get relief as early as possible to clear boats lying in those areas", he said. Customs Baggages and Narcotics Director S. Ramachandran appreciated the co-operation and assistance given by the enforcing authorities in India in detecting several smuggled items. Several common issues involving Sri Lanka and Indian trade were discussed at length, including the smuggling of gold and silver jewellery. New routes between Rameswaran and Mannar has been the major route for smuggling heroin via India to Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan delegates mentioned about the increase of heroin coming from South Coast of India via sea route. Sudhir said the Free Trade Agreement signed by the two countries is very important to export and import issues for both countries. World Customs Organisation has recognised the training of FTA intelligence of India, Centre of Excellence, the Indian Customs leader added. The Indian delegation comprised A.P. Sudhir and Commercial Attache Jagdeep Kapoor of High Commission of India, Colombo. The Sri Lankan delegations comprised Director General Sarath Jayatilleke, Customs Preventive Director M.H.R. Tissa, Customs Baggage and Narcotics Director S. Ramachandran and Customs CIU Director L.M. Nelson. Narcotics Bureau Superintendent of Police represented the Police. Commander W.D.E.N. Sudarshana represented the Sri Lanka Navy. Additional Controller of Exchange H.M.P. Herath represented the Department of Exchange Controller. Deputy Director of Commerce A.G.N. Karunathilake represented the Department of Commerce while South Asia Director A.L. Ratnapala represented the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs. The Sri Lanka and India Custom delegation yesterday discussed at length about the enforcement problems related to the Implementation of ISFTA and complaints regarding the misuse of ISFTA related to Trade in copper, marbles, cloves, compact florescent lamp and zinc anodes among other things. They also discussed the review of trends in smuggling and exchange of intelligence in connection with, narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances. Foreign currency, electronics and consumer goods, cigarettes, gold-diamond-silver and jewellery and other goods. |
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