September 07, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Customs has achieved a record revenue of Rs.1,000 billion (Rs. 1 trillion) in the first eight months of this year, benefiting from unprecedented operational independence, free from external interference for the first time in history.
With a revenue target of Rs.1,534 billion set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 2024, Customs Director General Sarath Nonis is confident that the annual goal can be reached within the next four months. The department has already surpassed its previous highest revenue record of Rs.975 billion set in 2023. Traditionally, 25%-30% of customs revenue comes from car imports, but this figure has now dropped below 6% due to import restrictions in both years.
This achievement is attributed to the guidance and support of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his role as Minister of Financial Economic Stabilization and National Policy, as well as the leadership of State Ministers Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Shehan Semasinghe. Director General Nonis also credits the success to the department’s operational independence and the implementation of new methods and advanced technical processes over the past two years.
Nonis emphasized that significant changes over the last two years have enabled officers to streamline operations, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. He highlighted the dedication of the customs staff in combating fraud, corruption, and smuggling.
The Customs Department continues to advance its administrative activities through an annual action plan, focusing on regular transfers, updates to customs procedures, and ongoing quality improvements.
