Colombo: Sri Lanka will begin cargo clearance operations at Hambantota Port in May, as the Customs Department completes preparations to extend its services to the southern port.
Customs Director General Seevali Arukgoda said all necessary arrangements have been finalized to support the commencement of clearance activities, which are expected to strengthen the port's operational role in handling imports and transshipment.
The department is also preparing to introduce a pre-arrival clearance system, enabling importers to complete documentation and approval processes before vessels reach the port. The system is intended to reduce turnaround time and improve efficiency in cargo handling.
Customs procedures are now conducted through fully digital platforms. The digitalization drive is also expected to minimize direct interaction between customers and Customs officers, allowing transactions to be completed remotely through online systems.
Hambantota Port, located along a key shipping route in the Indian Ocean, has been expanding its role in logistics and cargo handling
