New unit to prevnt smuggling [October 20 2010]

The Sri Lanka Customs has alreday set up a new unit named Social Security Secretariat by combining separate divisions that were responsible for regulating import and export of goods with Intellectual Property rights, narcotics, antiques and animal and plant material.

“With this new arrangement we now have a more organized monitoring and regulating system in order to prevent smuggling,” Sri Lanka Customs spokesperson Ajantha Dias told the Sunday Observer.

As of to date, 26 companies are registered with the Intellectual Property Division of the new secretariat. “It is important that local manufacturers and sole agents to properly register with the Sri Lanka Customs in order to prevent their brands being smuggled in to the local market,” Dias said.