Sri Lanka, July 27 -- Around 1,025 imported vehicles remain unclaimed and stranded at the Hambantota Port from three to six months, because importers have not completed the clearance process, Customs Media Spokesperson Chandana Punchihewa stated.

He said the Customs will be compelled to sell them, if they are not cleared properly within a short period of time.

He stressed that if importers do not clear such goods within a month, Customs can exercise powers under Section 109 of the Customs Ordinance to sell the goods or call for tenders to recover the necessary funds, returning any remaining balance afterward.

Punchihewa added that a large amount of foreign exchange was released by the Government to import these vehicles, but the State ...