A discussion aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Sri Lanka Customs Paperless Document Processing programme has been held today (19) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Representatives of the Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce, organisations representing customs clearing agents, officials of Sri Lanka Customs, and other stakeholders participated in the meeting, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said. 

The objective of the discussion was to encourage importers, exporters and customs clearing agents to submit customs declarations and related documents electronically, without the use of paper-based documentation, and to raise awareness of the new process.

Addressing the gathering, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake stated that Sri Lanka Customs has already completed all the necessary technical arrangements to facilitate the online submission of customs declarations and related documents, the statement said.

Therefore, the business community no longer needs to submit documents to Customs using traditional printed formats. He also emphasised the need for all customs declarations and supporting documents to be submitted exclusively through the paperless electronic system in the future.

Representatives of the Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce expressed their full support for the initiative and stated that they would work together with the Presidential Secretariat to conduct awareness programmes for their members to ensure the successful implementation of the project, it said. 

Customs clearing agents also noted that although there were concerns among some members regarding potential job losses arising from the new system, the reality is that this digital transformation would elevate their services to a more professional and efficient level. 

Accordingly, they affirmed their full support for the swift implementation of the programme, the PMD stated. 

It was noted that the use of a Digital Signature will be mandatory when submitting customs declarations and related documents electronically, the statement added. 

These Digital Signatures are issued by LankaSign. Accordingly, all importers, exporters and customs clearing agents must first obtain a Digital Signature. Representatives of LankaSign also conducted a special awareness session on the relevant procedures and implementation process.