The Committee on Ways and Means of the Sri Lankan Parliament had discovered that 965 containers are detained by the Sri Lanka Customs and are lying either inside the Port terminals or at the Customs Examination Yards due to pending finalization of Customs investigations/inquiries, regulations on temporary suspension of imports and pending court cases.

A report by the Committee on Ways and Means noted that the customs appeals procedure is time-consuming and it is a lengthy process which frustrates importers and exporters who seek a timely solution. 

It added that the investigations and appeals of Customs should be finalized within a short period of time. 

The Committee has also recommended to implement a National Single Window to connect all state agencies to eliminate the duplication of work and provide speedy clearance of cargo and state agencies such as Sri Lanka Customs, Inland Revenue Department, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Airports, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and other relevant authorities could be connected with this system