All Customs Operations in Sri Lanka including Colombo and Hambantota Sea Ports will go Paperless from Oct Sixth

Sri Lanka Customs will convert all its operations linked with the public relations ‘paperless’ from ,October sixth including Colombo, Hambantota ports and Banadaranaike International airport to minimise any further risk of spread of the new Coronavirus disease, its top official was quoted by the Sri Lankan media.

Additional Director General of Customs Sunil Jayaratne told the Lankan Media following a lengthy meeting held between the senior officials of the customs department, they had arrived at the decision to make all its public related operations ‘paperless’ with immediate effect.

Therefore, all operations pertaining to the Industry and Services, the Long Room operations as well as Import Declarations will be made into ‘paperless’ work based on the present online facilities.

Customs personnel ordered to strictly adhere to Covid-19 health guidelines in their tasks

Meanwhile, the Customs Director General Rtd. Maj. Gen. Vijitha Ravipriya has ordered all Customs personnel attached to border controlling duties at the Bandaranaike International Airport and the three main seaports in Colombo, Hambantota and Trincomalee to strictly adhere to Covid-19 health guidelines in performing their tasks

The officials who especially board vessels in these seaports, where international ships arrive, have been asked to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times and to maintain minimal contact with any foreigner whilst conducting their duties.

Public could get its usual work done through the website hereafter

ADG Jayaratne said by avoiding the use of paper material for their work, the authorities are expecting to create a safe environment for their staff to carry out duties without any health hindrance.

Sri Lanka Customs has enabled the said operations to be online based through different software applications on its website www.customs.gov.lk. Therefore, the public could get its usual work done through the website hereafter, the official said.