Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake engaged in an urgent inspection tour of the Sri Lanka Customs Tuesday midnight day.
Without any prior schedule, the minister started the tour from the two container yards at Orugodawatta. Later he inspected the Customs Headquarters. The minister intended to inspect the Customs Department following constant complaints that the functions of the department are slow. Another objective of the tour is to ascertain whether the Customs operations are carried out systematically round the clock.
The Customs officials at the container yard were surprised of the minister’s unexpected visit. The minister also engaged in a conversation with the representatives of importers who were present there to release their containers. Speaking to the representatives, the minister asked them to educate him if there is any delay in Customer’s activities.
The minister discussed the problems faced by the Customs officers in discharging their duties. He specially looked into the online system which has been introduced to facilitate the release of imported goods. Minister Karunanayake who enquired the process of releasing containers to their owners since they reach the port also enquired about the illegal import of cigarettes which has been reported by the media recently.
At that juncture, Customs Director General Chulananda Perera told the minister, despite the wide media publicity given to that incident, the official were surprised to find only some furniture inside the particular container.
Thereafter, the minister proceeded to the Customs Headquarters. The Minister met some officers who were engaged in night duty and did not hesitate to appreciate their hard work.

Having concluded his tour, Minister Karunanayake expressed his views to the media:
“We came to know by importers that there is a delay in Customs process. Consequently, we chose to engage in an inspection tour at slack time of this nature. We observed that the customs is processing very well. However certain things should be updated. Import and export activities are carried out within 24 hours in other countries. Our customs is similarly engaged in such work schedules but services of Wharf clerks are not up to the expectation due to certain disputed circumstances,” the minister said.
Expressing his views to the media, Customs Director General Chulananda Perera said the round the clock services rendered by Customs officers should be lauded. He also said that the visit by the subject minister to witness their hard work in this dead night is an attempt to appreciate their inestimable services. He also commended the minister for his visit and said the tiring efforts being taken by the minister irrespective of day and night would demonstrate the whole country of his commitment and dedication to his duty.