Customs to switch all operations into ‘paperless’ from today

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

Sri Lanka Customs will convert all its operations linked with the public relations ‘paperless’ from today onwards to minimise any further risk of spread of the new Coronavirus disease, its top official said yesterday.   

Additional Director General of Customs Sunil Jayaratne told the Daily Mirror following a lengthy meeting held between the senior officials of the department yesterday afternoon that they had arrived at the decision to make all its public related operations ‘paperless’ with immediate effect.   

Therefore, all operations pertaining to the Industry and Services, the Long Room operations as well as Import Declarations will be made into ‘paperless’ work based on the present online facilities.   

ADG Jayaratne said by avoiding the use of paper material for their work, the authorities are expecting to create a safe environment for their staff to carry out duties without any health hindrance.   

Sri Lanka Customs has enabled the said operations to be online based through different software applications on its website www.customs.gov.lk. Therefore, the public could get its usual work done through the website hereafter, the official said.   

Meanwhile, the Customs Director General Rtd. Maj. Gen. Vijitha Ravipriya has ordered all Customs personnel attached to border controlling duties at the Bandaranaike International Airport and the three main seaports in Colombo, Hambantota and Trincomalee to strictly adhere to Covid-19 health guidelines in performing their tasks.   

The officials who especially board vessels in these seaports, where international ships arrive, have been asked to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times and to maintain minimal contact with any foreigner whilst conducting their duties.