By: Isuru Parakrama
November 03, Colombo (LNW): Sunil Jayarathne has been appointed as the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Sri Lanka, bringing with him a wealth of expertise garnered over 37 years in the Department of Customs, where he last held the position of Additional Director General.
In his tenure with Customs, Jayarathne demonstrated a keen focus on international trade facilitation, particularly in his role as Media Spokesman over the past three and a half years and in his leadership of various technical and operational initiatives.
Throughout his career, Jayarathne has helmed multiple pivotal committees within the Department of Customs, advancing significant government and international policy initiatives.
His achievements include chairing the Customs Paperless Trade Initiative and overseeing the implementation of the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO-TFA).
Notably, he was instrumental in introducing non-intrusive cargo scanners at Colombo Port, bolstering customs efficiency and security.
Additionally, he served as the Vice Chairman of the Customs Valuation Technical Committee, helping to streamline customs valuation processes in alignment with global best practices.
Jayarathne is also recognised internationally as an accredited expert trainer and advisor for the World Customs Organisation (WCO) on the Time Release Study, a key measure in expediting customs clearance processes.
As the head of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) Secretariat, he has overseen the implementation of WTO-led best practices, strengthening Sri Lanka’s trade facilitation landscape.
Beyond his administrative and operational accomplishments, Jayarathne has contributed as a key resource in the Department of Customs, sharing his insights on trade facilitation and customs valuation with both local and international stakeholders.
His collaborations with leading Sri Lankan trade chambers and global organisations such as the WCO and WTO underline his extensive experience and commitment to fostering smooth, efficient cross-border trade practices.
