The Sri Lankan government has announced urgent measures to tackle a massive backlog of around 8,000 containers awaiting clearance at the country’s ports.
Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka, confirmed that the clearance process will be fast-tracked under the direct supervision of Sri Lanka Customs, following a high-level meeting at the Ministry premises.
A key aspect of the plan is the prioritization of “low-risk” containers, which will be redirected to the newly established Bloemendhal Logistics Park. This measure aims to alleviate congestion at the main terminal areas and streamline cargo movement.
Minister Karunathilaka also announced that a follow-up review meeting will be held in four days to assess progress.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Ports Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku, and representatives from the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and Sri Lanka Customs.
The move is expected to significantly improve port efficiency and ensure smoother trade flows in the coming weeks.