Cabinet directs to prepare Bill to amend Customs Ordinance

Wednesday, 10 June 2026 05:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved directing the Legal Draftsman to prepare a Bill to amend the Customs Ordinance based on recommendations made by a Steering Committee on Customs Affairs.

On 26 May 2025, the Cabinet approved establishment of the Revenue Administration Reforms and Modernisation Bureau and the appointment of separate Steering Committees for Sri Lanka Customs, Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and Excise Department under it, with the aim of creating and establishing world-class revenue administration mechanisms in the country.

Accordingly, the Steering Committee on Customs Affairs has submitted recommendations on the restructuring and modernisation activities to be implemented in Sri Lanka Customs.

The said Committee has studied the Customs Ordinance in depth, identified outdated provisions, determined the provisions to be amended from time to time, and considered the views and suggestions of the business community, the import and export sector and other stakeholders. It has now recommended that a Special Committee be appointed to recommend the necessary amendments to the Customs Ordinance.

Accordingly, the Customs Ordinance Review Committee has been appointed under the chairmanship of the retired Additional Solicitor General Milin de Gunathilaka, PC, representing all relevant sectors.

“The Committee has met continuously for nearly seven months, discussed with all relevant parties and submitted a detailed report,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

He said based on the recommendations of the report, the Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft Bill to amend the Customs Ordinance.