Sri Lanka Customs is working to clear a four-day cargo backlog after last week’s severe weather disrupted operations, with clearance expected to return to normal, only by the end of December, Customs Director General Seevali Arukgoda said.

“Clearance was affected from Thursday to Sunday because staff turnout was low, and there was some flooding around the port,” Arukgoda told the media. He said several vessels had to be moved out of the port due to strong winds.

“We’re now working through the four-day backlog. It will take some time to return to usual clearance, probably toward the end of December,” he said.

Despite the delays, Customs has already met its annual revenue target of Rs 2,115 billion for the year.

Sri Lanka received a consignment of canned tuna as relief for the people affected by the adverse weather from the Maldives yesterday (05), reflecting the strong partnership and regional solidarity between the two nations, the President’s Media Division said.

The consignment, handed over yesterday afternoon, consists of 25,000 cases of canned tuna, in 14 containers.

The shipment was formally handed over by the High Commissioner of the Maldives to Colombo.

Representing Sri Lanka at the handover were Brigadier Roshan Dharmawickrema, Director Operations of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Commodore Aruna Wijewardane, Deputy Area Commander of the Western Naval Area, and Diana Perera, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Officials emphasised that the donation will support national efforts to address emerging needs and will be distributed through relevant government agencies.

The Government of Sri Lanka held discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to mobilise a policy-based loan, amounting to USD 100 million, to implement the Power Sector Reforms and Financial Sustainability Programme (Subprogram 2).

This policy-based lending programme will support the establishment of independent and financially sustainable electricity utilities. It will also support the streamlined and accelerated development of renewable energy sources for electricity generation under the reform areas, according to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, Lanka Electricity Company Pvt. Ltd., and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, has successfully achieved all pre-policy actions related to Subprogram 2.

Accordingly, the relevant loan proceeds of USD 100 million will be disbursed to the Treasury, once the loan agreement is declared effective. Further, the Government held discussions with ADB to secure a USD 3 million grant for the Cyclone Ditwah Emergency Response Project, as Sri Lanka has been experiencing a severe disaster situation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, resulting in widespread floods, landslides, and other cyclone-related impacts across the country.

The USD 3 million grant assistance comes under the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund of ADB and will be obtained for post-disaster relief and rehabilitation work due to the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah.

Accordingly, this grant-funded project will support the provision of essential life-preserving services for communities affected by the cyclone, the statement said.

Grant proceeds will be used for activities, including, but not limited to, emergency rescue equipment, medical supplies and kits, food supplies, water and sanitation systems, transitional shelter materials, hygiene kits, debris-clearance equipment, aviation fuel, and communication equipment.

Accordingly, the above-mentioned loan and grant agreements were signed at the Treasury, in Colombo, by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, and Mrs. Cholpon Mambetova, Country Operations Head, ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission, on behalf of the Asian Development Bank yesterday (05).