50. Prohibition on export or import of controlled items without approval of the Council

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, no approval, authority or permission shall be granted for the export from or import into Sri Lanka of any controlled item, without the prior written approval of the Council.

The grant of an approval under subsection (1) for the export or import of any controlled items, shall not be considered as exempting the person concerned from having to obtain an appropriate licence, where such controlled item is to be used, possessed, transported, supplied or sold for the purpose of conducting a practice, for which a licence is required to be obtained under this Act.

Any person who imports into or exports from Sri Lanka any controlled item in contravention of the provisions of subsection (1) shall commit an offence and on conviction after summary trial before a Magistrate, be liable, in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed for committing an offence under any other law, to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand rupees or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Where any controlled item is seized by a customs officer under any provision of the Customs Ordinance, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in that