Business

Cost-effective clearance of goods across borders to determine worth of Customs Paperless Declaration

Published

2 days ago

2026/09/25

Thilina Walpola

Containers held up at the Port of Colombo

By Ifham Nizam

The introduction of the Customs Paperless Declaration from October 1 could mark an important step in Sri Lanka’s efforts to modernise trade, but its real value will depend on whether it reduces the time and cost of moving goods through the country’s borders, Customs House Agents & Traders Association President Mohamed Niyas said.

Niyas warned that digitising Customs declarations alone would not necessarily translate into faster cargo clearance or lower costs for businesses.

‘Expecting a dramatic improvement in clearance speed under the present conditions is like expecting Ferrari performance from a Morris Minor configuration, he said.

For importers and exporters, the issue extends well beyond paperwork. Every additional hour or day that cargo remains in the clearance chain can have wider consequences for businesses, including increased port and storage-related costs, additional working-capital requirements, uncertainty over delivery schedules and disruptions to production and distribution.

Niyas said the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s trading sector ultimately depended on how efficiently goods could move through the country’s border-clearance system.

‘The real bottleneck is not merely the absence of paper. It is the entire clearance ecosystem—the limitations of the existing ASYCUDA World system, excessive regulatory interventions by Other

Government Agencies, multiple approvals, physical examinations, manual interventions, fragmented processes and institutional constraints, he said.

He cautioned that unless these bottlenecks were addressed, there was a risk that the paperless initiative would merely digitise existing bureaucracy.

‘If these underlying constraints remain unchanged, there is a real risk that the new paperless system could become another “copy-and-paste road show”—where an old, complex clearance process is simply transferred onto a digital screen without fundamentally changing the process itself, Niyas said.

For businesses dependent on imported raw materials, machinery, components and other inputs, clearance efficiency can directly affect the wider supply chain.

Delays at the border can create uncertainty for manufacturers, distributors and retailers, while exporters can face difficulties meeting delivery schedules when imported inputs or export consignments are held up.

Niyas therefore argued that the success of the October 1 initiative should be judged by its impact on trade flows rather than by the number of declarations processed electronically.

‘Paperless does not automatically mean faster, he said. ‘Digitising a slow process does not make the process fast. It only makes the slow process digital.’

He said Sri Lanka needed to move towards what he described as “process-less Customs”—a system in which unnecessary procedures are eliminated rather than simply converted into electronic procedures.

Among the reforms he called for are simplification of Customs declarations and approval workflows, improvements to the functionality of ASYCUDA World, greater use of risk-based inspections and better integration of Other Government Agency approvals.

Niyas also called for the elimination of repetitive document submissions and physical endorsements, greater use of pre-arrival processing, sufficient capacity for digital document uploads and clearly defined service-level timelines for Customs and OGAs.

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Business

SLEIS 2026 to examine Sri Lanka’s energy transition and its implications

Published

18 hours ago

2026/09/26

Thilina Walpola

Reliable and affordable energy is essential to Sri Lanka’s economic growth, industrial development and competitiveness. As the country seeks to strengthen energy security while reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, the energy sector will be a key area of discussion at the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026, organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on 12-13 October 2026.

The session, “Beyond Fossil Dependence: Balancing Security, Sustainability, and Growth,” will examine how Sri Lanka can diversify its energy sources, accelerate renewable energy adoption and attract investment while ensuring a reliable energy supply for businesses and households. Discussions will also consider the infrastructure and policy frameworks needed to support the country’s transition towards a modern and competitive energy system.

Ms. Edore Onomakpome – Regional Infrastructure Industry Manager – Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, at the International Finance Corporation will keynote the session, and join the panel discussion featuring G.M.R.D. Aponsu – Secretary to the Ministry of Energy, Damitha Kumarasinghe – Director General (Chief Executive Officer), Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, and Manjula Perera – Managing Director, WindForce PLC. The discussion will be moderated by Sheran Fernando – Senior Advisor, Plus94.

The session will also explore the role of public-private collaboration in developing new energy solutions, encouraging investment and creating opportunities within Sri Lanka’s evolving energy sector. It will consider how energy policy and investment decisions can support both economic expansion and the country’s longer-term sustainability objectives.

The Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 is supported by its valued sponsors and partners. Platinum Sponsor – Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, Gold Sponsor – VISA Worldwide (Pvt) Ltd., Bronze Sponsor – South Asia Gateway Terminals (Pvt) Ltd., Strategic Development Partner – Asian Development Bank, Telecommunication Partner – Dialog Telecommunication, Television Partner – Dialog Television, Session Sponsors – David Pieris Motor Company (Pvt) Ltd., Hemas Holdings PLC, Sunshine Holdings PLC, International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Ltd., Official Logistics Partner – Hayleys Advantis Limited, Official Airline – SriLankan Airlines Ltd., Official Hospitality Partner – Shangri-La Colombo, Airline Partner – China Eastern Air Holding Co. Ltd.

Registrations are now open at https://sleis.chamber.lk/. For more information, contact Alikie on 011 558 8805 (alikie@chamber.lk) or Shanuka on 0701082541 (events.division@chamber.lk).

Business

A fresh chapter for the George Keyt Foundation: A renewed commitment to the Sri Lankan art ecosystem

Published

18 hours ago

2026/09/26

Thilina Walpola

The George Keyt Foundation (GKF), dedicated to preserving the legacy of modernist painter George Keyt and fostering local art, has announced strategic appointments to its leadership team, bringing together a mix of global academic expertise, corporate leadership, and artistic passion. These enhancements aim to inject fresh expertise and academic depth into the Foundation’s long-term vision.

Establishment of the New Advisory Committee

To broaden its operational reach and deepen its engagement with the global art market, the George Keyt Foundation has established an Advisory Committee. The newly appointed committee members include:

• Dr Sujatha Meegama is a Senior Lecturer in Buddhist Art History at the Courtauld. She is an acclaimed art historian, author and academic, bringing specialised knowledge in South Asian art history to guide the foundation’s curatorial and educational directives.

• Dr Shamil Wanigaratne: A clinical psychologist, author, and avid art historian, Shamil will lend his unique perspective to help the foundation design meaningful public outreach and cultural preservation strategies.

• Abbas Esufally: A veteran corporate leader and patron of the arts, Abbas is transitioning from his role as a GKF Trustee to this advisory position, where he will continue to offer his sharp business acumen and extensive network.

New Trustee Appointment

Leesha Captain has been appointed to the Board of Trustees. Inspired by Sri Lankan artists, Leesha is a recognised supporter of the local art scene. Leesha’s hands-on perspective will strengthen the foundation’s core team as they develop and design new art programs.

A Vision for the Future

“These new appointments mark an exciting chapter for us as we build on our decades-long history of promoting Sri Lankan artists,” says Malaka Talwatte, Chairman of the Foundation. “The combination of Leesha on the board, alongside the diverse expertise of our new Advisory Committee, will significantly amplify our efforts in curating high-profile exhibitions and expanding local and international partnerships”.

Business

Sun Siyam Pasikudah celebrates World Tourism Day with culture, cuisine and community

Published

18 hours ago

2026/09/26

Thilina Walpola

Sun Siyam Pasikudah, part of the Privé Collection under Maldivian-owned Sun Siyam Resorts, will mark World Tourism Day on 27 September 2026 with a full day programme celebrating the culture, cuisine and natural beauty of Sri Lanka’s east coast, paired with community focused sustainability activities.

The celebrations open with a special buffet of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, followed by a street food festival showcasing regional snacks and traditional sweets rarely found on resort menus. A signature World Tourism Day mocktail and cocktail, created for the occasion, will be served through the day, while traditional Sri Lankan cultural dance performances bring the island’s heritage to life for guests.

Beyond the festivities, the resort has planned a tree planting activity with guests and a beach or park clean up campaign, both reflecting Sun Siyam Pasikudah’s ongoing commitment to responsible tourism along Sri Lanka’s northeast coast.