• Authorities battle to clear backlog; 800–1,000 CTUs awaiting Customs clearance
• 10,000 CTUs across all terminals as of Friday evening: Ports Min.
• Govt. undecided on auctioning 1,500 salt containers, cites scam concerns

Sri Lanka’s port authorities are battling a significant backlog of cargo, with operational officials confirming that approximately 10,000 containers stood across all terminals as of Friday (23) evening.

Of this nearly 1,000 CTUs are awaiting Customs clearance.

While Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku maintained that the number of problematic containers was far lower than reported, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) officials pointed to severe limitations in Customs examination capacity as a critical bottleneck.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, SLPA Chief Operations Manager Priyashantha Ketipearachchi confirmed that the total container volume across all terminals had reached 10,000 as of 7 p.m. on Friday.

He clarified, however, that only half of this stockpile was actually stagnant. Approximately 5,000 units are in ‘active mode’ and scheduled for imminent release, while the remaining 50% consists of detained, abandoned, or disputed cargo, including the controversial salt containers that The Sunday Morning reported on last week.

However, Kodithuwakku offered a different assessment, attributing the high volume to seasonal spikes. “We anticipate the port will receive at least 2,000 containers per day. Over weekends, these can pile up to around 7,000–8,000,” he said.

He disputed reports that 8,000 stranded units remained stuck at the ports. “The actual containers that are problematic amount to about 800–1,000. These remain stuck due to an inability to gain Customs clearance, faulty shipping dates, or quality control issues,” Kodithuwakku said.

Operational teams on the ground meanwhile highlighted a structural deficit. According to Ketipearachchi, the ‘out-panel’ examination capacity – mandatory for high-risk cargo – is capped at just 500 units per day in Colombo. This limit stifles clearance speeds, creating a bottleneck that affects both active and detained stock.

A major component of the backlog involves containers of salt, with reports indicating over 1,500 units stuck. The Deputy Minister confirmed that legal requirements mandated re-export if local clearance failed.

Addressing fears that unscrupulous importers might abandon cargo only to buy them back cheaply at auctions (avoiding demurrage fees), Kodithuwakku stated that auction procedures would be tightened.

“We have not decided to go for an auction yet, but the suggestion is under consideration. We have been notified that some of these people who have abandoned the salt may try to repurchase them at the auction, bypassing the payment of demurrage and other costs,” he said.

“If we go for an auction, the procedure will be different,” he assured. He noted that salt unfit for human consumption would be relabelled strictly for agricultural use, rendering its financial value insignificant. Stocks fit for consumption remain marked for re-export, with no decision yet on auctioning them.

To mitigate future overruns, the ministry is expanding storage capacity in Bloemendhal and the Rank Container Terminals (RCT). “We are evaluating structures and improving systems,” Kodithuwakku said, adding that despite the congestion, inter-terminal operations remained unhindered and financial losses were not very significant.

He added that the ministry had employed buffer zones to handle high volumes. “Thus far we have not encountered any issue pertaining to storage limitations owing to these stagnant containers. Therefore, at the moment, this has not become such an issue as to take specific legal action against the importers. However, the ordinary legal formalities will have to be followed. For expediting measures, we have instructed Customs to take necessary measures in accordance with its authority,” he said.

The Customs Spokesperson could not be contacted for a response.