Cabinet approves committee for streamlined container release at Colombo Port

The Cabinet has approved the formation of a committee to develop a system for the timely release of containers at Colombo Port and to provide necessary recommendations for its implementation.

Currently, the Colombo Port operates four container terminals, both privately and government-owned, handling the inspection and release of 5,000–10,000 containers daily per terminal. Issues in the clearance process and a rise in ship arrivals have led to increased container inspections by customs officers.

The newly formed committee, chaired by the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, will focus on recommending measures to streamline the container release process and address existing challenges effectively.