Colombo, Sri Lanka – President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced plans to implement structural reforms in Sri Lanka Customs, aiming to create an efficient and modernized institutional framework that aligns with contemporary demands.
Speaking during a high-level discussion at the Presidential Secretariat on March 5, the President engaged with senior officials of Sri Lanka Customs regarding the 2025 budget and the department’s institutional restructuring. The discussion also focused on inefficiencies, fraud, and corruption within Customs, as well as growing public dissatisfaction with the institution’s operations.
As a solution, the President emphasized the need to integrate new technology to improve service efficiency and accelerate departmental operations. He instructed officials to develop strict legal frameworks to eliminate irregularities and corruption within Sri Lanka Customs.
The discussion also covered human resource management, recruitment, and infrastructure development, with the President stressing the need to fast-track these areas to ensure smooth operations. Additionally, he commended the Customs Department’s revenue achievements from the previous year and urged officials to continue working towards meeting revenue targets for 2025.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, and Director General of Sri Lanka Customs P.B.S.C. Nonis, along with a group of high-ranking Customs officials.
With efficiency and transparency at the core of the restructuring plans, Sri Lanka Customs is expected to undergo significant reforms to enhance accountability, service delivery, and financial performance.
