Sri Lanka to Install Container Scanners at Ports After Major Ice Seizure at Colombo

Summary

Sri Lanka plans to install special scanners at its ports to detect narcotics hidden in shipping containers, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said, as traffickers increasingly use cargo shipments. The move follows the seizure of about 471 kg of crystal methamphetamine concealed in towels at Colombo Port in August, and comes as Customs physically inspects only a fraction of imports.

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Colombo: Sri Lanka will introduce container scanners at its ports to detect drugs concealed in cargo shipments, Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala said on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

Speaking to local media, Wijepala said the government plans to roll out the scanners soon as part of broader efforts to tighten port controls and stop illicit drugs from entering the country. He said authorities are also stepping up scrutiny of other trafficking routes, including courier services and the Central Mail Exchange.

The minister added that the government is working with relevant institutions to strengthen inspections and expand action against drug traffickers. No details on the number of scanners, cost or timeline have been announced.

What prompted the move?

The plan follows a major seizure at Colombo Port. On August 31, authorities found crystal methamphetamine, known locally as “Ice,” hidden inside towels in two containers that had arrived from Pakistan. Initial police estimates of about 463 kg were later revised to 471.2 kg, with a street value of more than Rs 8 billion.

The seizure followed intelligence from the US Drug Enforcement Administration. The Colombo Crime Investigation Bureau obtained a court order and inspected the container with the Police Narcotics Bureau and Sri Lanka Customs. The containers had been stored at the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT).

Police said the shipment arrived in June and had been listed for re-export, though investigators suspect the drugs were meant for the local market. A Colombo businessman, under whose company the shipment was imported, and two Pakistani nationals were arrested. The Inspector General of Police has since ordered an internal inquiry into shortcomings in how the case was handled.

How are containers inspected now?

Sri Lanka Customs has faced persistent capacity constraints. Officials have said infrastructure limitations mean only around 35% of imports are physically examined, with the rest cleared without physical scrutiny.

Daily container traffic at Colombo ranges between 1,500 and 3,000 units, making full inspections impractical. Earlier this year, port officials said examination capacity for high-risk cargo was capped at about 500 containers a day.

Concerns over clearance controls have surfaced before. In January 2025, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Finance Minister announced an investigation into the release of 323 red-flagged containers at Colombo Port, some of which were cleared through the Green Channel without being scanned amid congestion.

Why does it matter for shipping?

Non-intrusive scanning could allow Customs to screen far more containers without the delays of physical unpacking, improving security while easing congestion at one of South Asia’s busiest transshipment hubs.

The move is also relevant for Indian shippers. Colombo handles a large share of transshipment cargo from Indian ports, including around 65% of containers from Thoothukudi. How scanning is introduced, and whether it adds to dwell times or speeds up clearance, will be watched closely by shipping lines and exporters using the hub.

FAQs

Why is Sri Lanka introducing container scanners?

To detect narcotics hidden in shipping containers, as traffickers increasingly use cargo shipments to smuggle drugs into the country.

Who announced the plan?

Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala announced it on October 11, 2026.

What seizure prompted the move?

About 471 kg of crystal methamphetamine was found hidden in towels in containers from Pakistan at Colombo Port on August 31, 2026.

How many containers does Sri Lanka Customs physically inspect?

Officials have said only about 35% of imports are physically examined because of infrastructure limits.

Will the scanners affect Indian cargo?

Possibly. Colombo handles a large share of Indian transshipment cargo, so changes in screening could affect clearance and dwell times for shipments routed through the port.