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Colombo Port congestion linked to delays in clearing imported salt: Customs
Sri Lanka Customs has clarified that the recent congestion at the Colombo Port was caused by delays in clearing Government-approved import of salt.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Additional General of Customs Seevali Arukgoda acknowledged the congestion attributing it to an unusually large influx of salt containers arriving over a short period.
“Usually we handle about 1,200 containers per day, but last week the number surged to around 2,500 containers daily, mainly with imported salt,” he explained.
Arukgoda noted that food items including salt are released only after undergoing mandatory checks and testing by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute and food analysts. The required quality certification process has led to a slight delay in the clearance of these consignments.
He pointed out that the delay has resulted in a backlog of only a day of two, rather than week or months, whilst assuring that Customs officials are working to expedite the clearance process while ensuring that the imported salt meets standards for human consumption.
Arukgoda also stated that clearance operations were progressing and that the congestion at the Colombo Port is expected to be fully resolved within the next two to three days.
