Customs work-to-rule ends, backlog to be cleared
Govt. says going ahead with proposed Bill, unions optimistic only changes to Ordinance
TThe Government is to go ahead with the proposed Bill on Customs Department reforms including revenue collection despite objections from a section of officials as importers were struggling yesterday to overcome losses suffered during a five day work-to-rule campaign by Customs officials.
The Port yesterday started clearing a backlog of 4,000 containers as importers claimed they have suffered losses and demurrage charges running to over one billion rupees. They have appealed to the Government for concessions over the charges.
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told the Sunday Times that it is hoped to go ahead with the Customs draft Bill which includes new revenue collecting measures raising targets to Rs 1,000 billion annually by next year.
“We hope to discuss the draft Bill with the Customs officers. There will be no change in the plans, we will go ahead he Government has adopted a national policy on the war-displaced, which acknowledges that one of the major obstacles to providing them with durable solutions for a return to normal life, is occupation of land by the military and police.
The policy calls on the Ministry of Defence to coordinate with the Ministry of Law and Order, to accurately map out all land that is or was owned, claimed or used by civilians, and is currently occupied by any of the three forces or police. These should be returned to civilian use and ownership urgently, unless the State determines that it is required for public purpose, it holds.
Such purpose--be it national security or development--should be carefully scrutinised, including to ascertain with the proposed Bill," he said.
On Friday Customs officials called off their work-to-rule campaign after arranging a meeting with the Finance Minister on Tuesday.
However, the unions claim that they have an assurance from Finance Ministry officials that instead of proceeding with the draft Bill, the Government will introduce changes to the existing Customs Ordinance.
All Ceylon Customs Services Union Secretary J. A. Gunathilaka told the Sunday Times that in addition to being invited to a meeting with the Finance Minister, they had also received an assurance by Finance Ministry officials that instead of introducing a completely new Customs Ordinance Draft Bill, the Government would introduce amendments to existing legislation.
He said they had assured that the changes will be made after consulting with all relevant stakeholders including trade unions.
Eight trade unions representing Sri Lanka Customs took part in the campaign which severely disrupted Customs activities this week.
Customs Spokesman Dharmasena Kahandawa stated the main task of officials after the work-to-rule campaign ended on Friday was to clear the backlog at the Customs Import Goods Declaration Processing Centre, popularly known as the “Long Room.”
Officials and trade union representatives reached a compromise on Friday where all Customs officers agreed to work over the weekend considering them as normal working days in order to clear the backlog.
The Essential Food Commodities Importers Trade Association has sought a meeting with the Finance Minister to call for a waiver of the demurrages charged on them by the Ports Authority during the work-to-rule campaign.
A spokesman for the Association said that only some 200 containers were cleared during the work-to-rule campaign as against 1,500 on a normal day.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga said a concession regarding demurrage charges will be considered, if a request is made.