A high-level discussion was held to take urgent measures to minimize congestion in container handling, exports, imports, and transshipment operations, which typically increase during the year-end period.
The meeting took place at the Port and Civil Aviation Ministry and was led by Minister Anura Karunathilaka. It was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Ports Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku, and the Ministry Secretary.
Currently, around 8,000 containers are awaiting clearance. During the discussion, it was decided that low-risk containers would be prioritized at the newly established Bloumendhal yard, with all operations carried out under the full supervision of Sri Lanka Customs to expedite processing.
Minister Karunathilaka instructed officials to give full attention to these operations and announced that a review meeting would be held in four days to assess progress.
Key stakeholders present included senior officers and regional operational staff of Sri Lanka Customs, officials from the National Medicines Regulatory Authority, and senior management of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
