Sri Lanka nabs illegal export of scrap copper to Singapore

Sri Lanka Customs today arrested two containers of scrap copper which was on the way to be smuggled to Singapore.

The arrest was made at Colombo port. The Customs media spokesman Lesley Gamini said that the two container loads of scrap copper had been attempted to smuggle declaring them as equipment needed for garment factories.

He further said that the confiscated stock of scrap iron is worth of Rs. 22.5 million. Two persons have been arrested in relation to the smuggling attempt.

30% Cess Tax has also been imposed by Sri Lanka government to discourage copper scrap exports. Export of copper comes under heavy scrutiny from Customs Department and exporters need to obtain a special license from the government to legally export copper scrap. Sri Lanka imports 6.2 billion worth of copper annually for various local industries that need copper as raw material. It is estimated that 70 percent of the country's annual copper requirement can be balanced if Sri Lanka can halt the illegal export of copper.

(Colombo Page)

Fifty thousand metric tons of copper shell covers with Sri Lanka Army

Image via Wikipedia

(July 02, 2009) Sri Lanka Minister of Industrial Development Kumar Welgama revealed that Sri Lanka Army has 50,000 metric tons of empty cartridges made of copper.

The major bulk of this copper stock is from empty artillery shell covers. These artillery were used in the military operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam in the recent past.

The Minister said at a press briefing held in the Ministry on June 30 that this copper stock would not be allowed to be exported as raw material without 35% value addition.