22. Insertion of new section 23wa in the principal enactment

Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.

The following new section is inserted immediately after section 23W of the principal enactment and shall have effect as section 23wa of that enactment:-

23WA. (1) The Director-General or any officer authorized by the Director-General may, after due inquiry, if he has reason to believe that an offence under section 23W has been committed or is being committed -

(a)

at any reasonable time of the day, enter into and inspect any premises to ascertain whether any prohibited product or material has been or is being produced or, such product or material has been or is being used in any such production, process, activity, trade, storage or industry within that premises; and

(b)

take into custody and seize any prohibited product or material.

(2)

The Director-General or any officer authorized by the Director-General shall produce any prohibited product or material taken into custody or seized under subsection (1), together with the relevant documents before the Magistrate having jurisdiction, within twenty four hours from the date of such taking into custody or seizure.

(3)

The Director-General or any officer authorized by the Director-General may apply to the Magistrate having jurisdiction over the place where any prohibited product or material

“Power to take into custody or seize, any product or material prohibited under section 23W has been seized, for an order to destroy or recycle such product or material. The

Magistrate may, after such inquiry as he may deem necessary, make such order specifying the manner for destruction or recycling of such product or material and at the cost of the person responsible.”.

Read on from s 23