Governor Yusoof Demands CID Probe to Clear His Name Against 'Malicious' Allegations

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Governor of the Western Province filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department requesting an investigation into allegations made against him. 

Speaking to News 1st, the governor said over the last few days he had been "bombarded with untruths, malicious social media, statements by politicians who have not been elected by the people."

He dismissed the allegations, citing them as totally fabricated.

"I wish the CID would investigate this speedily and clear my name and bring sanity back to what it was before. I'm here to serve. I'm here to do the right things. I want to make Western Province a clean, safe, efficient province." said the Western Province Governor.

The allegations against Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof involve claims that he was connected to the unauthorized release of 323 containers from the port without proper inspection. These allegations suggested that the containers might have contained valuable items such as gold, weapons, or narcotics.

However, both Governor Yusoof and the Sri Lanka Customs have firmly denied these allegations.

Expolanka also released a statement on the matter and said it provides freight and logistics services and facilities for their customers only as a freight and logistics service provider and not as an importer.

It added that No company of Expolanka or its subsidiaries have provided freight and logistics services or customs clearance of any of the alleged 323 containers said to be released by Sri Lanka Customs without inspection.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, today accused the opposition of making false allegations against the government to shield criminals

The Minister made these remarks during a morning inspection tour at the National Transport Medical Institute in Nugegoda, addressing the controversy surrounding the release of 323 containers without inspection.

Minister Rathnayake highlighted that thieves from both sides have come together, making it clear that these are well-known issues in the country.

While protecting thieves, the opposition claims that the Customs Department released 323 containers without inspection, alleging the presence of gold and other items. Rathnayake emphasized that if such claims were true, complaints should have been filed, and he affirmed that the Customs officers acted within their legal powers.

The Minister also criticized the opposition for slandering Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof. He noted that the Customs Department had issued a statement confirming no connection between Governor Yusoof and any of the containers. Rathnayake challenged Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya to file proper complaints if his MPs were making accusations against Governor Yusoof.