I recently purchased several items in Sydney and handed the items to Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia (also known by Skyway Cargo Australia and Skyway Travel Australia). One of the big boxes was stolen in Australia under the custody of Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia (Skyway Cargo Australia). To date, I don't know what exactly happened to my box and how it got 'lost'.
Indran Niles (management of Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia and Skyway Cargo Australia) and the local agent withheld information of the theft of my goods that happened under their custody.
The local agent was not giving an official statement on what happened to my belongings. Also the local agent verbally mentioned to my representative that Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia (Skyway Cargo Australia) has instructed to not to release any official statement about this theft that happened in Australia.
Finally, I had to involve my lawyers and complain to Sri Lanka Police and Sri Lanka Customs to investigate the local agent on suspected theft. Only then the local agent released a statement that the items was stolen in Australia and never came to Sri Lanka.
In response, Indran Niles of Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia and Skyway Cargo Australia accepted that the packages was stolen in Australia. Only thing he mentioned was they are not liable and use insurance. Indran Niles of Skyway Cargo also mentioned CCTV footage is deleted! He also doesn't have documentary proof of loading the items to containers.
Kevin Modder, the Sydney agent of Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia who collected my items mentioned that he duly handed over all three boxes to Indran Niles and Chris Mant of Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia/Skyway Cargo Australia and it was stolen only after handing over to them.
Big boxes doesn't go missing in thin air. Based on their behavior and on how they withheld information, I have serious doubt that someone within the Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia (also known by Skyway Cargo Australia and Skyway Travel Australia) is involved in the theft.
Indran Niles is now not responding to any communications. How professional?
In addition based on the report sent by Sri Lanka Customs, many other packages sent in this container by Skyway Cargo Australia are reported torn, damaged, wet as well as missing (more details below). Kevin Modder also mentioned that multiple parcels handed to the shipping lines went missing.
28.12.2022-I went to collect my boxes. One of the boxes were missing and the manager at Ceylon Shipping Lines, Udan Perera mentioned it is a 'short landing'. Udan Perera asked me to check when next container arrive. However, Indran Niles and Kevin Modder mentioned they are sure it was sent from Australia.
January 2023-Myself and my agent made repeated queries from Ceylon Shipping Lines, Sri Lanka. No clear response. Always asking to check the "next container" where the manager even cannot provide exact date when I need to check back. We requested an official statement and verbally the manager mentioned "Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia and Skyway Cargo Australia has mentioned not to provide any written statement about what happened to my belongings". This is mentioned in my police report as well.
07.02.2023-My lawyers send a letter requesting details of my package whereabouts to Ceylon Shipping Lines, Sri Lanka.
14.02.2023-Indran Niles sends me an email saying sometimes packages go missing, use insurance and they are not liable. He can offer "something" as compensation. No mention of where and how exactly it was lost. I respond asking compensation based on valuation (This is not a question of compensation, but really the sensational value of the prints that cannot be measured in monetary terms).
21.02.2023-Indran Niles sends same mail verbatim at 14.02.2023 only change saying compensate "partly" for which I do not agree.
22.02.2023-My lawyers send a reminder to Ceylon Shipping Lines, Sri Lanka as they still haven't responded to the letter dated 07.02.2023. Also my lawyers complaint to Sri Lanka customs on suspected theft.
28.02.2023-Indran Niles offers AUD 200 for the lost package stolen at their hands with their possible involvement in the theft. I do not agree.
02.03.2023-Logged a complaint at the Dematagoda Police Station, Sri Lanka Police for not handing over my belongings. The complaint also notes the verbal statement by Udan Perera to my agent "Management of Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia and Skyway Cargo Australia has mentioned not to provide any written statement about what happened to my belongings".
03.03.2023-Ceylon Shipping Lines, Sri Lanka immediately responds after the police complaint. They forward a mail by Indran Niles which mentions for the first time that the package was lost in Australia. It was never mentioned to me in prior emails with Indran Niles.
08.03.2023-Sri Lanka Customs responds after an investigation. They confirm the boxes were lost in Australia. In addition, they send a report on the status of other packages in this container sent by Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia (Skyway Cargo Australia). Dozens of other packages are reported torn, damaged, wet as well as missing.
Kevin Modder also confirmed that in addition to my box, a scooter, a tv and another food parcel was also missing and stolen from the container sent by Skyway Cargo and Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia.
After it was confirmed that the parcels was lost in Australia, Indran Niles of Ceylon Shipping Line Australia is non responsive to any emails or messages.
If the packages were lost in Australia, what action was taken by them? Did they report it to Australian police or any other authorities?
I will bring this to the notice of the world at large relating to the responsibility of Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia and Skyway cargo through social media, online and media along with the communications and the documentation. I will ensure that no future thefts will take place under thefts custody.
Here are close up images of my maps stolen in Australia under the hands of Ceylon Shipping Lines Australia, Skyway Cargo Australia and Skyway Travel Australia.
