Officials of the Sri Lanka Customs said that 60 percent of the containers subjected to random checks under the new clearance process in the Colombo harbour were found to have been imported in violation of Customs laws and regulations.
The Customs processes around 2,000 containers daily for clearance. As part of the enhanced procedure, nearly 600 containers are now subjected to rigorous checks daily.
While the new system has led to some delays, Customs officials have assured that containers will be released promptly following the completion of inspections.
The Government has also pledged to resolve delays in the container clearance process at the Colombo Harbour.
Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku told the Sunday Observer that the delays are a result of implementing a new, more transparent clearance process.
“All containers released from the harbour are thoroughly inspected, and quality checks on imported food items are conducted under this new clearance process. The issue arises because containers need to be retained until the quality check reports are received. This is the primary cause of delays in clearance and the resulting traffic at the harbour,” he said.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a committee comprising representatives from the Customs, the Ports Authority, the Department of Health Quarantine, and other relevant authorities to address these challenges. The Deputy Minister said that the committee has held two meetings and identified short-term and long-term solutions to the issue.
“As a short-term measure, the Ministry will set up a container yard at Bloemendhal Road within two weeks. We have started discussions with clients and consulted all parties,” he said.
According to the Deputy Minister, the views of container truck drivers, owners, and other stakeholders were sought, and their suggestions will be implemented following further committee discussions next week. “We are confident that this will resolve the delays and the ongoing traffic congestion at the harbour,” he added.
The primary objective of the new clearance process is to ensure the quality of all imported food items and to guarantee that no poisonous or harmful ingredients are distributed to the public. The process also aims to check smuggling through the Customs and curb tax evasion, the Minister said.
Meanwhile Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake said the special meeting will be held with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today to discuss the container clearance delays at the Colombo harbour.
