- Advanced cameras, scanners and detection equipment for air and sea ports
- Customs on cusp of record revenue target
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday proposed the setting up of a unified Command and Control Centre to check the entry of narcotics and contraband into the country.
He outlined this proposal at a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat with the Heads of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Customs, and the Airport and Aviation Services (AASL).
Highlighting the need to eliminate the negative perceptions surrounding Sri Lanka Customs, President Dissanayake said that strict disciplinary and legal action must be taken urgently to restore public confidence.
The President instructed the officials to establish an integrated camera system and a unified observation room to be shared among the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Customs, and the AASL.
They will coordinate intelligence gathering with regard to the smuggling of narcotics via sea and air routes and also liaise with their counterpart agencies in neighbouring countries.
The President also emphasized the need for a practical and modernised process to check smuggling of narcotics and contraband, calling for the replacement of the current scanning equipment with advanced scanners used at some Western airports.
It was also pointed out that the smuggling of legally permitted goods such as electronics deprives the State of millions of rupees in terms of taxes and duties.
The discussion focused on preventing the entry of narcotics and other prohibited substances into the country, curbing corruption, fraud, and irregularities at international airports (Colombo and Jaffna), Customs, and halting the unauthorised departure of those wanted in connection with various cases from the country.
For the first time in history, Sri Lanka Customs crossed the Rs. 1 trillion revenue milestone on September 6, 2024.
The previous highest revenue record was Rs. 975 billion in 2023. Last year, the Department was given a revenue target of Rs. 892 billion for 2023, but surpassed it by achieving Rs. 975 billion even without car imports in place.
Sri Lanka Customs is on the cusp of an unprecedented revenue target of Rs. 1.5 trillion in 2024, having already collected Rs.1,479 billion up to December 25.
The discussion was attended by prominent officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Director General of Customs Sarath Nonis, Acting Controller General of Immigration and Emigration BMD Nilusha Balasuriya and Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Pvt) Ltd Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama.
