Private sector work ethic deters trade facilitation, warns Customs Chief

Sri Lanka Customs Director General Seevali Arukgoda at ACFA forum on Digital Signatures says 24x7 operations cannot succeed if private sector, including shippers, Customs agents and banks, keeps to office hours Notes slow adoption of new procedures despite rapid digital rollouts by Customs Signals willingness to revisit legal requirement for Customs House Agents if resistance continues

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SRI Lanka Customs Director General Seevali Arukgoda in a rare public appearance last week delivered one of his sharpest criticisms of the private sector trading community, warning that its unwillingness to adjust its work ethic to match the Customs' operational readiness is now the main barrier to trade facilitation, even as the Department accelerates digitalisation and meets record revenue targets.

Speaking at the Association of Clearing and Forwarding Agents' (ACFA) forum on Digital Signatures and New Customs Entry Framing, Arukgoda said Customs is operating around the clock and rolling out new IT systems, while clearing agents, shipping lines, banks, and importers continue to work on restricted schedules. He argued that this mismatch is undermining pressure from the same private sector for faster clearance and streamlined processes.

"There is a demand for the Customs to work 24 hours, 24x7, which we are doing in most cases. Are you ready to work 24x7 with us? Are the importers ready to work 24x7? Are the banks ready to open 24x7? Are the shipping lines ready to open 24x7 and issue delivery orders 24x7? Are the clearing agents ready to work 24x7? So we work 24x7, are you ready to work 24x7? In most cases, no."

He pointed to a recent weekend operation at the Rank Container Terminals (RCT) yard as an example of how limited private sector participation neutralises the Customs' efforts.

"During a recent weekend, there was a congestion, so our staff was working both Saturday and Sunday. But on Sunday, we only could release 27 containers. We usually release over 350 to 400 containers a day, so you, the Custom House Agents, did not come. So the trade facilitation initiatives cannot be implemented one-sided."