Decision to conclude investigations into 323 containers within three months

2026-01-27 - 16:04

The Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to inquire into the release of 323 containers from the Port of Colombo without inspection has decided to conclude its investigations within a period of three months. Accordingly, the committee has decided to meet every Wednesday at 2.00 p.m. to conduct investigations, with a view to examining the relevant incident, submitting a report, and presenting proposals and recommendations to Parliament. This decision was taken at the committee’s inaugural meeting held on 21 January 2026, chaired by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara. In line with this decision, the committee is scheduled to meet again on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, at 2.00 p.m. At the first meeting, a preliminary discussion was held on the manner in which the committee’s future work should be carried out and on the parties to be summoned for the investigations. Member MPs also expressed their views in this regard. The Chairman of the Committee stated that it is expected to complete the investigations within three months. The meeting was attended by Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunatilake; Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe; Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala; Deputy Minister of Power Arkam Ilyas; and Members of Parliament Attorney-at-Law Dayasiri Jayasekara, Ajith P. Perera, D. V. Chanaka, Mujibur Rahuman, Mylvaganam Jegadeeswaran, and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra.