A political controversy has erupted in Sri Lanka after Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake resigned from a Parliamentary Select Committee investigating the release of 323 containers from Colombo Port without mandatory physical inspection. The move came amid sustained objections from opposition lawmakers who argued that his role in the subject ministry created a conflict of interest.
At the start of committee proceedings, Chairman Harshana Nanayakkara informed members that Karunathilake had stepped down and that a replacement would be appointed later. The resignation was presented as a measure to ensure the integrity of the investigation, given that decisions made during his tenure as Ports Minister could come under scrutiny during the probe.
Opposition parliamentarians had repeatedly challenged the minister’s participation, insisting that the inquiry could not be viewed as impartial while he remained a member. MP Mujibur Rahman stated that opposition representatives collectively maintained it was unjustifiable for the minister to sit on a committee examining actions linked to his own portfolio.
The Select Committee convened for its third day of hearings on February 11, calling senior officials from Sri Lanka Customs to provide testimony and documentation related to the incident. Among those summoned was Director General Seevali Arukgoda, who was expected to assist lawmakers in reconstructing the circumstances under which the containers were cleared without inspection.
The investigation has drawn significant national attention, as questions continue to mount over regulatory oversight, accountability within port operations, and the potential security and economic implications of bypassing standard inspection procedures. The committee is expected to continue gathering evidence before presenting its findings to Parliament.
