News

Customs to commit 24/7 operations to expedite clearance process

Published

5 months ago

January 13, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, during a meeting held yesterday (Jan. 12) at the Presidential Secretariat with representatives from Sri Lanka Customs and port-related service providers, reached several important agreements aimed at resolving the ongoing delays in the clearance of imported containers.

The President instructed officials to take immediate action to eliminate the delays within the next four days. He also engaged in detailed discussions about the issues faced by state institutions, including Sri Lanka Customs, as well as the challenges encountered by port service providers. While emphasizing the necessity of implementing short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans for port sector development, the President underscored the urgent need for a joint effort by all parties to address the current crisis. As a result, both public and private sector stakeholders agreed to work together towards an immediate resolution.

To expedite the clearance process, Sri Lanka Customs officers agreed to operate continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, a 5-acre plot of land in the Bloemendhal Dissanayake area was allocated for storing containers pending investigation, with plans to release 2 acres by January 31 and the remaining portion by February 28. Addressing the issue of congestion caused by idle container vehicles at port terminals, the government agreed to provide land in the Peliyagoda area for parking these vehicles, thereby easing the traffic at the terminals.

Further, delays caused by regulatory agencies such as the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), the Department of Food Commissioner, and the Plant Quarantine Division were highlighted during the discussion. It was revealed that staff shortages in these institutions were a significant factor contributing to the delays. In response, the President directed the relevant authorities to fill these vacancies promptly and to enhance welfare allowances for the officers of these institutions to ensure a more efficient clearance process.

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Ratnayake, stated that if there are any financial requirements related to this process, they can be provided by the Ministry of Ports. Additionally, private associations requested the President to take disciplinary action against clerical staff who fail to report for duty on time during the container clearance process. The Minister further emphasized that it is the responsibility of the respective private companies to ensure that their employees report to work promptly.

Importers agreed that food-related products must be accompanied by mandatory certificates issued by foreign laboratories following proper testing, and in the event of any violations, appropriate legal action will be taken in accordance with government regulations. A decision was made to reduce the period during which containers can be stored within the port premises without charge to two days. Furthermore, it is anticipated that this period will be further reduced to one day starting from June.
Minister Ratnayake also noted that this expedited clearance process would continue until June 30 and stressed the need for all stakeholders, including the port, customs, and private service providers, to work together as one unified team.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Professor Anil Jayanta Fernando; Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Senior Additional Secretaries to the President, Russell Aponsu and Kapila Perera; officials from Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, and Sri Lanka Standards Institution; officers from the Department of Food Commissioner; representatives from the Association of Sri Lankan Shipping Agents, the Association of Container Operators, and the Association of Container Transporters; as well as officers involved in import and export clearance operations.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Chinese Minister of Commerce meets President AKD

Published

3 hours ago

May 29, 2025

editor

The Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Wang Wentao, who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Disanayake this afternoon (29) at the Presidential Secretariat for discussions.

Minister Wang noted that, considering the current political and economic stability in Sri Lanka, along with the clear policy direction being pursued by President Disanayake’s administration, there has been a notable rise in interest from Chinese investors looking to invest in the country.

He further stated that this visit undertaken with the participation of over 100 Chinese investors demonstrates a solid dedication to enhancing economic collaboration between the two nations.

The discussion also focused on the importance of working together to achieve mutually beneficial trade and economic goals during this challenging period. In light of global economic instability, the Chinese Minister of Commerce reiterated China’s commitment to providing the necessary support to Sri Lanka.

One of the key objectives of Minister Wang Wentao’s visit is to follow up on the agreements reached during President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s recent visit to China. The two sides also discussed the timely completion of on-going development projects in Sri Lanka with Chinese government support, as well as the prompt implementation of proposed new initiatives.

The Chinese delegation included Mr. Qi Zhenhong – Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, Mr. Wang Liping – Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs and Ms. Shu Jueting – Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Representing Sri Lanka, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with other officials, were also present at the occasion.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Polish FM meets President AKD

Published

3 hours ago

May 29, 2025

editor

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, in the context of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union Radosław Sikorski, currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Disanayake this afternoon (29) at the Presidential Secretariat for discussions.

The discussions focused extensively on strengthening cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union. President Disanayake emphasized the importance of continued EU support in overcoming future global economic challenges facing Sri Lanka.

President Disanayake stated that, in the face of challenges arising from the newly introduced tariff regime by the United States and the fiscal constraints imposed by the International Monetary Fund, Sri Lanka hopes to engage in broader cooperation with the European Union to address emerging economic pressures.

The President expressed his appreciation for the positive response demonstrated by the European Union regarding the continued maintenance of the GSP+ concession granted to Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that his visit reflects the special attention both the European Union and Poland place on Sri Lanka.

The discussion also focused on further strengthening the historic ties between Sri Lanka and Poland, with both sides expressing interest in enhancing bilateral collaboration.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski recalled the 50 years of economic and trade and 30 years of development cooperation between Sri Lanka and Poland. He expressed his government’s intention to work closely with the new administration in Sri Lanka to further advance these relations.

The delegation including Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka Carmen Moreno, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage were among the other officials.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Galle Marvels owner gets sentenced

Published

3 hours ago

May 29, 2025

editor

Prem Thakkar, the Indian owner of the Galle Marvels franchise in the Lanka T10 League, has been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 10 years, after pleading guilty to a match-fixing charge under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act.

Thakkar was also fined Rs. 6 million and ordered to pay Rs. 1 million in compensation. In addition, the Kandy High Court has granted a request by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit to download and examine data from Thakkar’s mobile phone as part of ongoing investigations.

The Attorney General filed the indictment earlier this year, accusing Thakkar of attempting to corrupt West Indies cricketer Andre Fletcher by offering him incentives to influence the outcome of a game involving Galle Marvels during the Lanka T10 League in December 2024.

(newswire.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)