Customs launches anti-corruption drive
Sri Lanka Customs is currently implementing anti-corruption measures including the setting up of an Internal Affairs Unit to probe public complaints and new technology to improve transparency and efficiency.
These reforms are being carried out in accordance with the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) 2025-2029 to foster a corruption-free environment, improve public trust, and facilitate trade and travel, Finance Ministry sources revealed.
With a view to curb revenue leakages the government will enact necessary legislation by end-October 2025 to mandate the Customs Department with clear responsibility for the clearance, movement, and control of goods to and from the special economic zones (SEZ), the sources said.
The Customs compliance will be enhanced by (i) implementing more robust risk assessment so that percentage of shipments assigned to the green channel approaches 80 per cent, and (ii) closing the long rooms and eliminating face-to-face document review of customs declarations prior to their formal submission.
According to memorandum of economic and financial policies submitted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the ministry will begin quarterly publication (on the ministry website) by each revenue department on the implementation progress of the anti-corruption measures including the digitisation and automation beginning from second quarter of 2025.
Customs trade unions are now collaborating with the department’s management to combat corruption, indicating a positive shift in the overall approach to integrity. Structural reforms of the department includes the implementation of stricter legislation and bringing in new technology.. Public dissatisfaction with the current operations of Customs, including inefficiency, fraud, and corruption, has been one of the reasons for these reforms, a ministry official said.
Digitisation of Customs procedures is a priority method to reduce manual processes that are prone to corruption.
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