The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 We are discussing regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act to expedite duty exemptions and release of foreign-donated goods for disaster relief through established administrative procedures, ensuring priority delivery to affected citizens.

¶ 03 In recent weeks, 22 countries and the World Food Programme sent diverse consignments—equipment, medical supplies, food, shelter items. Under guidelines of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Ministry of Foreign Employment and Tourism, with Secretaries’ approvals, goods donated in the name of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) or a government institution can be cleared duty-free under these regulations.

¶ 04 An apex committee has been appointed to standardize receipt, clearance, accounting, and transparent management. All consignments arriving at any airport or seaport are to be cleared and warehoused at the Orugodawatte complex under the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC), then transported and distributed through Divisional Secretariats as per district needs, with safeguards against loss, misuse, and leakages.

¶ 05 We have identified nine categories: food items; critical equipment; civil engineering tools; bridges; vehicles; machinery; power generators; pharmaceuticals; tents, household items, clothing, and other essentials. Goods worth approximately Rs. 1.57 billion (assessed value) have arrived. These regulations ensure prompt Customs clearance and distribution.

¶ 06 Speed of humanitarian response is crucial. A key often-neglected element is establishing an ethical and regulatory framework to activate humanitarian actions—precisely what these regulations provide—enhancing effectiveness and speed, reassuring overseas donors that their contributions promptly reach beneficiaries, and avoiding Customs backlogs.

¶ 07 Accordingly, DMC and NDRSC will issue clear guidance to foreign donors and missions on acceptable items and routing. We have deployed responsible officers at all ports to coordinate with Customs. The Government will have legal authority to regulate, control, or relax import/export procedures during national needs and emergencies, including expedited clearances, tax waivers or reductions, simplified documentation, and fast-track SOPs at ports. These enable priority handling of humanitarian cargo and quick support to international and national partners.

¶ 08 The rule of law and reliable procedures under our Government have yielded economic and administrative gains. A centralized data system has been set up to support this program. I commend these urgent, essential regulations.

¶ 09 Thank you.