Customs probes airbus deal
An investigation is being conducted by Sri Lanka Customs on a airbus
deal running into several million US dollars.
According to sources the airline had sold three air buses to
Mauritius but the Air buses were not collected by the buyer.
The customs is looking into the deal specially as the airline paid
the due customs duties. The value of an Airbus was US $ 396.5 million in
1992 when AirLanka bought them.
After replacing the engines and carrying out overall repair the
selling price was US $ 38 million which was a highly favourable price to
the buyer, according to the sources. Assistant Customs Superintendent
Post Clearance and Audit Sanath Fernando when contacted declined to
comment.
Sri Lanka Customs Director General S. A. C. S. Jayatileka said that
an inquiry on Air bus sales and purchases is under way. |