Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday, 15 January 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka Customs yesterday announced that it has rolled out a special program aimed at resolving container clearance delays at the Colombo Port, following directives from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The move comes amidst growing concerns over congestion at the port’s terminals, which is affecting the smooth flow of cargo operations.
As part of the initiative, 459 containers were cleared from the Colombo Port yesterday, with an additional 242 containers released from the RCT and Grayline 1 and 2 yards after completing inspections. Although the Customs has the capacity to process around 500 containers daily, the actual number cleared has been consistently lower due to reduced attendance by clearance agents and lorry drivers. Despite efforts to expedite the process, significant backlogs remain.
As of yesterday morning, 496 containers were still awaiting transfer to inspection yards despite gate permits being issued. Adding to the congestion, 603 containers that have already been cleared by Customs remain uncollected by importers and their agents, exacerbating the shortage of space at the port’s container terminals.
Sri Lanka Customs Media Spokesman and Additional Director General Seewali Arukgoda highlighted the issue, emphasising that the lack of prompt action from importers and agents is straining port resources.
He added that Customs and related State agencies continued container clearance operations yesterday, despite it being a public holiday, underlining the urgency of the situation and the collective effort to restore operational efficiency at Colombo Port.
