Sri Lanka Customs launches digital signature, paperless declaration system
Sri Lanka Customs officially launched the Digital Signature and Paperless Customs Declaration Processing System today (1), making it mandatory for all importers and declarants to submit customs declarations and supporting documents with a valid digital signature.
Introduced jointly by the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat and Sri Lanka Customs, the system was officially inaugurated at the Sri Lanka Customs Auditorium under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. Under the new process, customs declarations submitted through the previous manual system will no longer be accepted. The digital framework aims to deliver a faster, more efficient, and transparent clearance process while curbing fraud and corruption, with 1,144 companies already onboarded.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera highlighted that the initiative marks a major milestone towards establishing a National Single Window, allowing traders and investors to perform all import export procedures online. He noted that Customs is nearing its annual revenue target of Rs. 2,207 billion and announced plans to increase national capital expenditure to Rs. 2,000 billion next year while simplifying the overall tax structure.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake stated that the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Bureau was established within the Presidential Secretariat to strengthen reforms across revenue collecting bodies, lower trade costs, and enhance trade facilitation. He added that Customs is on course to exceed its annual revenue target by the end of the next quarter, expressing confidence that the reforms will position Sri Lanka Customs as a leading institution in Asia.
Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma noted that financial stability initiatives have improved Sri Lanka’s international ratings and that the paperless system reflects successful multi-agency collaboration. Director General of Customs Wimal Liyanagemage added that the department, which has a history of over 200 years, continues its tradition of digital adaptation to improve efficiency and social protection under the guidance of the Presidential Secretariat. (Newswire)
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