Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had appointed a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to “evaluate the state of current affairs of the Sri Lanka Customs Department and make recommendations to enhance its effectiveness,” his office said.

“The Commission is assigned to simultaneously come up with recommendations to make services by SL Customs more efficient and effective while dealing with various allegations and alleged irregularities against it,” the statement said.

“Another responsibility entrusted with the PCoI is to make suggestions to ensure and maintain total transparency in the functioning of the SL Customs, taking into account security and quarantine rules in the utilization of information technology.”

The Commission will also consult the public and trade unions.

Supreme Court Judge Shiran Anthony Gooneratne will chair the Commission.

Court of Appeal Judge Priyantha Fernando, High Court Judge Damith Thotawaththa, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka K.M.M Siriwardana, Sanath Jayanetti, a trade specialist and Former Additional Director-General P.A Dias are the other members of the commission