As many parties have aptly stated, Sri Lanka is going through not only an economic crisis, but also a period that emphasises a need for reforms. While these reforms should apply to all sectors that are yet to achieve their full potential, it has already begun with the public sector. 

Sri Lanka Customs is one such public entity which has a massive potential and responsibility to assist the country’s economic recovery. Identifying it in the backdrop of the economic crisis, on President and Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies Ranil Wickremesinghe’s instructions, a five-member ministerial committee has been appointed to expedite investigations into goods detained by the Customs. According to reports, this was after taking into account the fact that long drawn out investigative procedures in the Customs are resulting in detained goods being damaged during periods of investigations. This committee will be tasked with looking into this issue, and identifying and providing recommendations regarding amendments that need to be made to the Customs Ordinance. The committee includes Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Plantation Industries and Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugama, and State Finance Ministers Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Shehan Semasinghe.

This is undoubtedly a move that a country that is struggling to come out of an economic crisis – with meagre resources and support – should take. While attempting to acquire more support and resources is an integral part of this recovery process, expediting and streamlining existing public resources is a crucial first step. Although this initiative aims at addressing a pressing issue – which has been pointed out on several occasions by various parties – and is therefore important, that does not address the larger issue in the Customs. That is corruption. 

Over the years, a plethora of allegations have been levelled against the Customs for being a venal institution, and for inconveniencing service seekers, especially those seeking to obtain imported goods. To make matters worse, many of these allegations were about Customs officers requiring and accepting bribes to release illegally imported or illegal goods. While there were occasions on which legal actions were instituted against such corrupt officials, the experiences of those who were asked to bribe Customs officers imply that the bribery issue in the Customs is bigger in reality than on paper. Customs officers stealing detained goods and even packaged goods is another common allegation against the Customs, regarding which the public has openly discussed on social media. There are also ample claims about Customs officials suddenly becoming wealthy after joining the Customs.

While these allegations could easily be denied as baseless claims, that does not resolve the issue, because that is insufficient to restore the faith that the people have lost. Without the people’s trust, a public institution that relies on exports and imports cannot achieve its full potential. Taking this situation into account, the Government should pay attention to not just expediting investigations, but also to curb corruption within the Customs. One of the duties of the abovementioned committee is to recommend amendments to the Customs Ordinance. The Government should make this an opportunity to identify and introduce the necessary anti-corruption amendments to the Ordinance, and resolve the bigger issue in the Customs.

Expediting investigations is crucial. However, that is merely one necessary step to make the Customs an accountable, and a public friendly institution. If the allegations against the Customs are true, taking tangible actions to curb corruption alone will make this a key institution in the country’s economic recovery.