The government is set to introduce the Paperless Customs Declaration Processing System from October 1 as part of its efforts to digitalise public services and modernise economic processes.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake said the initiative is a key element of the government’s economic reform programme and is aimed at aligning Sri Lanka’s public services with global standards.
He made these remarks at an awareness programme on digital signatures and the Paperless Customs Declaration System held at the SEMA Building in Colombo today (28).
According to the President’s Media Division, Dr. Kumanayake said the new system will improve the customs clearance process by making it faster, more transparent and efficient while providing greater convenience to import and export businesses.
The system will integrate the LankaSign digital signature platform with the ASYCUDA system, enabling customs documents to be submitted online through a legally recognised and secure process.
Dr. Kumanayake said the digital system would also help reduce fraud and corruption by allowing authorities to identify any changes made to documents after a digital signature has been applied.
Addressing concerns over employment impacts, he said the introduction of the paperless system would not result in job losses among customs clearing agents, although their work processes may change with the shift towards digital procedures.
He stressed that cooperation among all stakeholders would be essential for the successful implementation of the new system.
Representatives from Sri Lanka Customs, the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Bureau, LankaSign, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, customs clearing agents, import and export companies, and other relevant institutions participated in the awareness programme.
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