A land mark meeting between Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)  and the SL Customs (SLC) to resolve industry issues.

A land mark  joint meeting to discuss a number of maritime industry related issues was held  recently,  initiated by the  Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) with the members of the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) and members of  Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators (SLAVO). The meeting is also recorded  the first of its kind in the history of the  maritime industry  in  Sri Lanka. The meeting was  co-chaired by the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) – Dr.Parakrama Dissanayake and the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) – Mrs. P. S. M. Charles,  with the  participation of officials of the Sri Lanka Customs  (SLC), SLPA,  members of the CASA and SLAVO. The meeting was organized on advice by the Hon.Minister of Ports and Shipping – Mahinda Samarasinghe  towards the importance of resolving issues of the maritime industry in Sri Lanka.

The meeting brought forward a number of issues that were discussed  pertaining to the Anti-Corruption and Zero Tolerance Policy, detained containers,  introducing a  digital signature and electronic delivery order  system.

At present, the Management Committee of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has approved  the zero tolerance policy  and this  has also been endorsed by the Board of Directors of the institution. At a recent discussion,  Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA),  also Stakeholders and Sri Lanka Customs(SLC) have also agreed to follow the zero tolerance policy and the related authorities also expected  to issue formal letters regarding this.

It was noted that due to  several factors such as lack of exporter details or non-presence of the exporter and forged documentation, containers have been detained by relevant authorities for further investigation. A joint decision was reached at the meeting to establish a committee comprising of  officials of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Sri Lanka Customs (SLC), Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) and Sri Lanka Association of  Vessel Operators (SLAVO) to look into the matter. The committee will submit a report on existing issues with recommendations and suggestions to resolve the matter.

It was informed  by  DG Customs  that regulations will be gazetted  for paperless documentation.

A committee was also appointed comprising of officials of SLPA, SLC and CASA to ensure the matter of resolving issues pertaining to implementation of  digital signature and  electronic delivery  order systems.

The Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) – Dr.Parakrama Dissanayake,  expressed gratitude to the Director General of Customs, the Additional Director General  and all officials of Sri Lanka Customs for attending the meeting to discuss the longstanding  issues. He also specially mentioned and thanked the members of Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) and Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators (SLAVO) for the tremendous contribution made by them towards the productivity of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).