Customs to set up more preventive offices in the North

High tech scanners and detective machinery to be purchased :

By Lalin Fernandopulle

The Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) has carried out raids and busted a number of illegal rackets to minimise the quantum of prohibited goods smuggled into the country despite many challenges, a top official of the Sri Lanka Customs said in response to the spate of contraband that finds its way to the country through entry points .

Director of Customs (Compliance and Facilitation) and Media Spokesman Dharmasena Kahandawa said no country in the world could put a complete stop to smuggling which takes place even in developed countries such as UK and USA. The SLC has trained officials deployed at every entry point and key locations across the country to prevent illegal commodities brought into the country.

The Customs provides regular local and international training to officers to be smarter than the smugglers who are said to be one step ahead in carrying out clandestine operations. Cameras to detect suspicious movement and body language have been installed in key location across the country, a senior official said.

He said plans are afoot to purchase high tech scanners and detective machinery that will be installed at entry point and other key locations such as ports and clearance centres across the country. Six advanced scanners will be installed at container examination yards and ports by the Finance Ministry.

When queried about measures to prevent goods smuggled from the North which had been taking place even during the height of the war, Kahandawa said measures are in place to set up more preventive offices in the North to prevent smuggling from neighbouring countries. Prior to the war there were prevention points in Kytes, Point Pedro, Velvetithuria, Jaffna, Kanakasanthuria and Mannar.

Cosmetics, gold, counterfeit currency notes narcotics, garments, bede leaves in the past are some of the items that are smuggled into the country on a regular basis.

“The narcotics that is detected are handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for further investigation. Other items are investigated, forfeited and further legal action follows. The maximum fine is three times the value of the goods,” Kahandawa said.

He said the dearth of skilled staff and advanced technology are major impediments to combat smuggling.

Smuggling goods to Sri Lanka is easy since its an island. The services of all support agencies such as coast guards and the tri forces are essential the prevent leakages.

“Sri Lanka does not have a marine division which existed before the war. We need boats with navigation systems and recruit marine staff for which funds are needed,” a senior official of the Customs said.

He said the garbage dump at Bloemendhal be should be cleared to set up a container examination yard as a central location for examination close to the port with a dedicated road to the harbour which will safe time on roads, ease traffic congestion and prevent leakages.

The Customs cannot examine all the containers that come into the country. It is not feasible. No country does a 100 percent examination. It has to be done on a risk analysis basis. High risk cargo should be identified and examined carefully and allow the flow of low risk cargo without creating delays. Around 1,500 containers are shipped to the country daily.

The SLC staff comprises around 2,000 employees of which 720 are assistant superintendents and deputy superintendents, 192 superintendents, 90 deputy directors, 26 directors and four additional directors.

Sri Lanka Customs, set up in 1806 marked its 200th anniversary in 2009. The first trace of Customs tax collection in Sri Lanka was 2,000 years ago at the Godawaya harbour in Hambanthota. The present Customs administration is under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

Sri Lanka Customs recorded a total revenue of Rs. 718, 278 million last year.The Customs Department plays a key or role in controlling and monitoring imports and exports of restricted and prohibited goods of environmental, health, social and security concerns.

Its tasks are collection of revenue, prevention of revenue leakages and other frauds, facilitation of legitimate trade, collection of import and export data to provide statistics and cooperation and coordination with other Government Departments and stakeholders in respect of imports and exports.