October 01, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Customs has begun a new era of digital processing with the introduction of a paperless customs declaration system, aimed at speeding up clearance procedures while improving transparency and accountability.
The new system, which takes effect from October 1, requires importers and customs declarants to submit declarations and supporting documentation electronically using a valid digital signature.
From the commencement of the new process, declarations prepared under the previous paper-based system will no longer be accepted, according to the President’s Media Division.
The initiative has been jointly implemented by Sri Lanka Customs and the Revenue Administration Reforms and Modernisation Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat as part of wider efforts to modernise public administration and expand the use of digital services.
An official launch ceremony is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. today at the Sri Lanka Customs Auditorium. Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera and Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake are expected to attend the event.
One of the key safeguards incorporated into the new platform is its ability to identify alterations made to documents after they have been digitally signed. Authorities believe this will provide an additional layer of security by helping to preserve the authenticity of documents submitted during customs clearance.
The digital trail created through the system is also expected to strengthen oversight and reduce opportunities for fraudulent alterations and corrupt practices.
The move forms part of the Government’s broader economic reform and public-sector modernisation programme, under which greater emphasis is being placed on digitising government procedures and reducing reliance on manual documentation.
By shifting customs declarations and supporting paperwork to a digitally authenticated process, authorities expect to make the movement of goods through the country’s customs system more efficient while creating a more transparent and traceable environment for importers and other stakeholders.
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