One of the main factors that determine how well a country goes forward is the way it adapts to and meaningfully deals with the status quo.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, this week, appointed a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to streamline the operations of Sri Lanka Customs, with a focus on evaluating the status quo of Sri Lanka Customs and looking into what steps need to be taken to enhance its effectiveness. The PCoI is headed by Supreme Court Judge Justice A.L. Shiran Gooneratne, and comprises judges, Central Bank officials, and experts in the trade.
Another duty of this newly appointed PCoI, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD), is to look into various allegations levelled against Sri Lanka Customs, which, if implemented properly, would benefit the entire country, considering the importance of the role Sri Lanka Customs plays in the local economy.
After Covid-19 hit Sri Lanka’s overall development and economy, like many countries, Sri Lanka is now at a crucial juncture, where every cent and precaution counts. In this context, streamlining Sri Lanka Customs’ operations is an admirable move.
The fact that this PCoI is tasked with looking into allegations against Sri Lanka Customs is also a relief, as it is one of the public institutions against which an astronomical number of allegations have been levelled. Another duty the newly appointed PCoI is tasked with is coming up with recommendations to ensure and maintain total transparency in the functioning of Sri Lanka Customs, taking into consideration the security and quarantine regulations using information technology.
Recent incidents, such as the incident where the Preventive Directorate of Sri Lanka Customs found bottled water in a container which had been officially declared to be containing over 11,000 litres of foreign liquor, raised concerns, and according to Sri Lanka Customs, resulted in a large-scale investigation. Sri Lanka Customs also seized illegally imported vehicles/vehicle parts in the recent past. While these forms of seizures show that Sri Lanka Customs does its duty, at the same time, it raises concerns about the large-scale irregularities and corruption that can take place when importing goods, which primarily concerns Sri Lanka Customs more than other public institutions. Considering the monetary value of such irregularities, the importance of Sri Lanka Customs’ operations cannot be stressed enough.
Streamlining state institutions was, and by the looks of it still is, in the President’s plans for the country, and he started this endeavour by visiting the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), soon after becoming President, and the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) later. Even though the two aforementioned visits were limited to verbal discussions with public officials and the service-seeking public, the President has gone the extra mile and has taken a step to strengthen Sri Lanka Customs.
When it comes to modernisation, Sri Lanka, despite having taken slow but progressive steps concerning almost all sectors, has a long way to go. At the same time, such processes being politicised has been a perpetual issue. Streamlining public institutions, which may also involve restructuring depending on the need, is a necessary but an arduous task, as it involves a large number of stakeholders, who may or may not be on the same page, and it should not in turn create new loopholes when seeking to rectify the existing ones. Also, these changes need to be for the long term and should not last only until the end of the incumbent Government’s tenure. At the same time, this PCoI being attentive to the concerns of Sri Lanka Customs’ trade unions’ opinions is compulsory for a successful effort.
Sri Lanka Customs is, without a doubt, one of Sri Lanka’s most important state institutions that fulfils a great deal of responsibilities that directly contribute to the country’s income and thereby strengthens its economy and development, and it has finally received the Country Head’s due attention.New dawn for Sri Lanka Customs
26 Feb 2021
New dawn for Sri Lanka Customs
26 Feb 2021
One of the main factors that determine how well a country goes forward is the way it adapts to and meaningfully deals with the status quo.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, this week, appointed a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to streamline the operations of Sri Lanka Customs, with a focus on evaluating the status quo of Sri Lanka Customs and looking into what steps need to be taken to enhance its effectiveness. The PCoI is headed by Supreme Court Judge Justice A.L. Shiran Gooneratne, and comprises judges, Central Bank officials, and experts in the trade.
Another duty of this newly appointed PCoI, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD), is to look into various allegations levelled against Sri Lanka Customs, which, if implemented properly, would benefit the entire country, considering the importance of the role Sri Lanka Customs plays in the local economy.
After Covid-19 hit Sri Lanka’s overall development and economy, like many countries, Sri Lanka is now at a crucial juncture, where every cent and precaution counts. In this context, streamlining Sri Lanka Customs’ operations is an admirable move.
The fact that this PCoI is tasked with looking into allegations against Sri Lanka Customs is also a relief, as it is one of the public institutions against which an astronomical number of allegations have been levelled. Another duty the newly appointed PCoI is tasked with is coming up with recommendations to ensure and maintain total transparency in the functioning of Sri Lanka Customs, taking into consideration the security and quarantine regulations using information technology.
Recent incidents, such as the incident where the Preventive Directorate of Sri Lanka Customs found bottled water in a container which had been officially declared to be containing over 11,000 litres of foreign liquor, raised concerns, and according to Sri Lanka Customs, resulted in a large-scale investigation. Sri Lanka Customs also seized illegally imported vehicles/vehicle parts in the recent past. While these forms of seizures show that Sri Lanka Customs does its duty, at the same time, it raises concerns about the large-scale irregularities and corruption that can take place when importing goods, which primarily concerns Sri Lanka Customs more than other public institutions. Considering the monetary value of such irregularities, the importance of Sri Lanka Customs’ operations cannot be stressed enough.
Streamlining state institutions was, and by the looks of it still is, in the President’s plans for the country, and he started this endeavour by visiting the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), soon after becoming President, and the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) later. Even though the two aforementioned visits were limited to verbal discussions with public officials and the service-seeking public, the President has gone the extra mile and has taken a step to strengthen Sri Lanka Customs.
When it comes to modernisation, Sri Lanka, despite having taken slow but progressive steps concerning almost all sectors, has a long way to go. At the same time, such processes being politicised has been a perpetual issue. Streamlining public institutions, which may also involve restructuring depending on the need, is a necessary but an arduous task, as it involves a large number of stakeholders, who may or may not be on the same page, and it should not in turn create new loopholes when seeking to rectify the existing ones. Also, these changes need to be for the long term and should not last only until the end of the incumbent Government’s tenure. At the same time, this PCoI being attentive to the concerns of Sri Lanka Customs’ trade unions’ opinions is compulsory for a successful effort.
Sri Lanka Customs is, without a doubt, one of Sri Lanka’s most important state institutions that fulfils a great deal of responsibilities that directly contribute to the country’s income and thereby strengthens its economy and development, and it has finally received the Country Head’s due attention.Kapruka
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!