Sri Lanka Customs is undergoing a major modernization process aimed at improving efficiency while ensuring strong regulatory compliance, Director General of Customs Seevali Arukgoda said at an awareness seminar hosted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Sri Lanka Customs under the theme “Customs Reimagined: Digital Transformation and Smart Facilitation in Sri Lanka’s Trade Frontier.”
Arukgoda emphasized the critical importance of collaboration between Customs and industry chambers to enhance awareness and accelerate the adoption of digital initiatives and trade facilitation programs.
The program highlighted several key modernization initiatives by Sri Lanka Customs, including the enhancement of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, paperless submission of Customs Declarations, the Customs Documents Notification System (CDNS), the TrackMyCusdec Tool, and automated risk management mechanisms.
Ushan De Silva, Chairman of the Import Section, reaffirmed the Section’s commitment to supporting reforms and enabling seamless business adaptation through robust public–private collaboration. The event brought together senior officials and industry stakeholders to explore modernization measures designed to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in Sri Lanka’s import sector.
Achala Chandrasekara, Additional Director General (Corporate), provided insights into the AEO Programme, underscoring its growing importance for legitimate traders, particularly with the discontinuation of other facilitation schemes. He encouraged businesses to actively engage with the AEO framework to benefit from streamlined operations.
Sudaththa Silva, Additional Director General (Digital Transformation), shared the department’s progress toward full digitization, reaffirming its commitment to improving transparency, reducing manual intervention, and facilitating trade through innovative digital solutions.
The session also featured presentations offering a comprehensive overview of the AEO Programme, its business benefits, and practical guidance on leveraging new digital tools and systems for more efficient customs operations.