Colombo (LNW): More than 900 cargo containers (965) are stalled at the Sri Lanka Customs and are lying either inside the Port terminals or at the Customs Examination Yards due to pending finalisation of Customs probes, regulations on temporary suspension of imports and pending lawsuits, disclosed the Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means.
The current procedure for customs appeals is protracted and often results in delays, and this leads to a significant inconvenience for importers and exporters who are in need of prompt solution, a report by the Committee on Ways and Means noted.
It added that investigations and resolutions of customs-related appeals must be expedited.
The Parliamentary Committee further recommended that a Unified National Single Window be introduced, thereby allowing the streamlining of processes for the interconnection of all pertinent state entities.
Having such a portal being opened, redundant tasks will be eradicated and rapid cargo clearance will be ensured, the Committee went on, adding that entities like the Sri Lanka Customs, Inland Revenue Department, Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka, major airports, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, and other relevant institutions could benefit immensely by integrating with this proposed system.
