Friday Jul 31, 2026
Friday Jul 31, 2026
Friday, 31 July 2026 00:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Importers, exporters and Customs clearing agents have been urged to prepare for Sri Lanka’s transition to a paperless Customs declaration system, which is scheduled to commence from 1 October as the Government moves to digitise trade-related public services.
The Paperless Customs Declaration Processing System will enable businesses to submit Customs documentation electronically through the integration of LankaSign digital signatures with the ASYCUDA Customs management system, allowing faster processing through a secure online platform.
Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake said the initiative is a key component of the Government’s economic reform and public service modernisation program, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and convenience for businesses engaged in international trade.
He said the digital transformation of Customs processes was necessary for Sri Lanka to remain aligned with global practices as trade volumes expand.
“The introduction of the Paperless Customs Declaration Processing System would make the Customs clearance process more efficient, transparent and faster, while providing significant convenience to import and export companies,” Dr. Kumanayake said.
The Secretary to the President said the integration of LankaSign with ASYCUDA would enable all Customs documents to be submitted online in a legally valid and secure manner, while digital signatures would allow authorities to detect any subsequent changes made to electronically signed documents.
The system is expected to strengthen document security and reduce opportunities for fraud and corruption by creating a traceable digital process for Customs declarations.
Dr. Kumanayake also addressed concerns among Customs clearing agents over the impact of automation on employment, saying the transition to digital processes would not result in job losses.
He said while the nature of work would change with increased digitalisation, clearing agents would continue to play a role as trade volumes expand and Customs procedures evolve.
The awareness program held at the SEMA Building in Colombo provided stakeholders with details on the integration of LankaSign with ASYCUDA, the process for submitting Customs documentation electronically and the operational benefits of the new system.
During a question-and-answer session, representatives from the private sector raised implementation-related concerns and proposals, which were addressed by relevant officials.
The program was attended by representatives of import and export companies, Customs clearing agents, Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs), the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, LankaSign, the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Bureau (RARMB), the Presidential Secretariat and other stakeholders.
Director General of Customs Wimal Liyanagama, Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Bureau Director W.L.C. Thilakasiri and LankaSign Senior Manager Nalaka Wijenayake also addressed the gathering.
Sri Lanka Customs exceeded its monthly revenue target for a seventh consecutive month in July, collecting more than its target before the end of the month as revenue performance continued to outpace expectations.
Official data showed Customs collected Rs. 227.6 billion during the first 27 days of July, surpassing its monthly target of Rs. 192.4 billion with several days of collections still remaining.
The latest performance extends a sustained run of above-target revenue collection and keeps Customs on track to meet its annual revenue objective despite a lower target set for 2026.
Customs has been assigned a revenue target of Rs. 2,207 billion for the year, 13.5% below the record collections achieved in 2025, reflecting initial expectations of a significant decline in motor vehicle imports following changes in the import regime.
Despite the lower annual target, Customs had already collected Rs. 1,606.7 billion by 27 July, equivalent to 73% of the full-year goal before the completion of the first seven months of the year.
The revenue authority posted record collections of Rs. 2,551 billion in 2025, exceeding the upwardly revised annual target of Rs. 2,241 billion. Revenue last year increased by 64.2% from Rs. 1,553 billion collected in 2024.
Revenue growth has been supported by stronger enforcement, improved customs valuation practices and a recovery in import volumes following several years of subdued trade activity.
The continued outperformance of Customs collections has also provided support to Government revenue at a time when fiscal consolidation remains a central objective under Sri Lanka’s economic reform program.
