The fine imposed on Puttalam District MP Ali Sabry Raheem for the possession of undeclared gold is the highest fine to be imposed with regard to seized gold in Sri Lanka in recent times, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated.

Speaking in Parliament today, State Minister Siyambalapitiya stated that even though the Customs Law outlines a maximum of a three-fold fine based on the value of the seized gold, no such fine has been imposed in Sri Lanka recently

Questioning the State Minister, Opposition MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara queried why a lesser fine had been imposed on the MP even though the law states a three-fold fine for such crimes.

Responding to MP Bandara, State Minister Siyambalapitiya said, “I can assure you that the fine that has been imposed on MP Ali Sabry Raheem is the highest to be imposed in comparison to the fines issued in Sri Lanka in recent times for such an offence,” he added.

Puttalam District MP Ali Sabry Raheem was detained by Sri Lanka Customs officials upon his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake from Dubai on Tuesday (May 22).

MP Ali Sabry Raheem was found to be in possession of undeclared gold, weighing over 3 kilograms, which was valued at Rs. 74 million and 91 smartphones, which were in his luggage, valued at more than Rs. 4.2 million.

The MP was fined Rs. 7.5 million and released on payment of same while the undeclared gold and mobile phones were confiscated.