Sri Lanka Customs officially launched its Digital Signature and Paperless Customs Declaration Processing System on yesterday (October 1) making it mandatory for all importers and declarants to submit customs declarations and supporting documents using a valid digital signature.
The new system was jointly introduced by the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat and Sri Lanka Customs. It 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 system, customs declarations submitted through the previous manual process will no longer be accepted.
The digital framework is aimed at making customs clearance faster, more efficient and transparent, while also reducing opportunities for fraud and corruption. So far, 1,144 companies have been onboarded to the system.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera said the initiative represents a major step towards establishing a National Single Window, enabling traders and investors to complete import and export procedures online.
He said Sri Lanka Customs is nearing its annual revenue target of Rs. 2,207 billion, while also announcing plans to increase national capital expenditure to Rs. 2,000 billion next year and simplify the country’s overall tax structure.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake said the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Bureau was established within the Presidential Secretariat to strengthen reforms across revenue-collecting institutions, reduce trade costs and improve trade facilitation.
He added that Sri Lanka Customs is on course to exceed its annual revenue target by the end of the next quarter, expressing confidence that the ongoing reforms would help position the department as a leading customs institution in Asia.
Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said initiatives aimed at strengthening financial stability have contributed to improvements in Sri Lanka’s international ratings.
He described the paperless customs system as an example of successful collaboration among multiple government institutions.
Director General of Customs Wimal Liyanagemage said Sri Lanka Customs, with a history spanning more than 200 years, continues to adopt digital technologies to improve efficiency and strengthen social protection under the guidance of the Presidential Secretariat.
