The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I answer on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.

¶ 02 (a) (i) Not to recommend remedies for congestion, but to consider, among the containers auto-selected by the computer system for physical examination, those with minimal risk that may be released on other criteria without physical examination, Sri Lanka Customs established a Steering Committee on 23.07.2024.

¶ 03 (ii) Under the supervision of the Additional Director General of Customs (Revenue and Services), Mr. S.P. Arukgoda, the following officers were appointed: - Mr. L.K.H.D.K. Arawwatta (Senior Director of Customs) - Mr. S.B.S. Gajanayake (Senior Director of Customs) – subsequently replaced upon retirement by Mr. M.K.S.P. Jayawardena (Senior Director of Customs) - Mr. S.A.T.B. Suraveera (Director of Customs)

¶ 04 (iii) The Committee convened as required when congestion could not be managed otherwise, meeting 14 times up to 18.01.2025, and decided, in line with the given criteria, to release 2,527 import containers assessed as minimal risk.

¶ 05 (iv) The Committee releases containers without physical examination after reviewing import entries and documents based on officers’ subject knowledge and experience, considering: 1. Completion of Long Room entry approval process; 2. Completion of valuation processes where referred to the Price Branch; 3. Not selected by enforcement units for further checks; 4. No intelligence alerts of illicit goods in the containers; and 5. All applicable duties and taxes paid.

¶ 06 In addition, the following criteria are also considered when selecting containers for release: 1. Import documents contain sufficient specifications/samples/descriptions to identify goods without physical inspection; 2. Goods belonging to multiple importers are not consolidated in a single container; 3. Types of goods in the entry do not exceed seven categories; 4. Scanning conducted through the container scanning system; and 5. Any other relevant matters the Committee deems appropriate.

¶ 07 (v) and (vi) Sri Lanka Customs does not release containers without examination; various procedures are followed to assess and minimize risk before release. Not applicable.

¶ 08 (b) In addition to provisions in law, as of 18.01.2025, Sri Lanka Customs has already commenced a post-clearance audit on the containers released. The Criminal Investigation Department is also conducting inquiries.