ECONOMYNEXT – Clearance of aid for Sri Lanka’s Ditwah victims will be expedited and exempted from import taxes and levies when addressed to the Disaster Management Centre, the Customs chief said.
“We have special teams of officers stationed at the Katunayaka airport and Colombo port to handle these donations expeditiously,” Seevali Arukgoda – Director General of Customs said.
This was to avoid what happened in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, when aid was pocketed by unscrupulous forces, Arukgoda claimed.
“We will follow a transparent method so that the donors can be kept informed.”
For smooth and expeditious clearance process, Arukgoda asked donors include a list of items with the quantity and estimated value for Customs purposes and email to DMC prior to departure of shipment from sending country.
Goods received will be inspected by respective regulatory authorities and cleared, only if they meet the regulatory requirements, he said.
The Sri Lanka Customs statement is reproduced below:
Sri Lanka Customs Donating Relief Cargo for Humanitarian Operations in Sri Lanka Considering the prevailing adverse weather conditions affecting the country, many inquiries are being made by various overseas donors, offering humanitarian assistance.
The Government of Sri Lanka has made all necessary arrangements for receipt, expeditious clearance and distribution of these items through a simpliϐied process exempting all import taxes and levies.
Accordingly, following information is provided in order to facilitate the donors as a guideline for the smooth dispatch, Customs clearance and distribution of such consignments.
1. What are the goods that can be donated?
A list of items depending on the existing requirements has been prepared and published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This list can be accessed through https://mfa.gov.lk/en/
While appreciating the donations, please note that certain goods are regulated under various regulations to meet national requirements such as quality, standards and fitness for human consumption etc. Donated goods will also be subjected to these requirements.
However, in the event of such goods being received, respective regulatory authority shall inspect the same and authorize the clearance, only if they meet the regulatory requirements.
2. How to send the donations to Sri Lanka?
Any individual or organization could send relief items (as above) to the country using any mode of transport. Please be advised that in order to avail of the duty-free clearance, the relief consignments should be addressed to the following consignee:
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Disaster Management Center (DMC), Vidya Mawatha, Colombo 07.
For smooth and expeditious clearance process, please include a List of Items with the quantity and estimated value for Customs purposes and email to DMC prior to departure of shipment from sending country. (email and contact details of DMC can be found at the end of this document)
Relief consignments could be sent under the following categories.
2.1 Consignments from Government to Government:
2.1.1 As Diplomatic Cargo consigned to the relevant Diplomatic Mission in Sri Lanka.
2.1.2 Directly consigned to Secretary to the Ministry of Defence under the DMC.
2.2 Consignments from Individuals/Organizations:
2.2.1 Consigned to DMC
2.2.2 Consigned to individuals and organizations in Sri Lanka.
3. How to clear the donations from Sri Lanka Customs?
Customs clearance of relief consignments will be processed through a simplified Customs Declaration (CusDec).
Dedicated counters and staff have been allocated to facilitate document processing and clearance of both sea and air cargo shipments on priority basis at the respective clearance centers.
The categories of relief consignments identiϐied at 2 above, will be cleared as follows:
3.1 Consignments from Government to Government
3.1.1 Diplomatic Cargo consigned to the relevant Diplomatic Missions in Sri Lanka, Clearance will be done by the respective Diplomatic Mission with the assistance of DMC on duty free basis.
3.1.2 Directly consigned to Secretary to the Ministry of Defence under the DMC:
DMC will undertake clearance on duty free basis.
3.2 Consignments from Individuals/Organizations:
3.2.1 Consigned to DMC:
DMC will undertake clearance on duty free basis.
3.2.2 Consigned to individuals and organizations:
– If the local recipient agrees to transfer ownership to DMC, clearance will be undertaken by DMC on duty free basis. All other charges relevant to the consignment such as freight (if not prepaid), local shipping line charges, handling charges at the point of clearance etc should be borne by the respective.
– If the recipient wishes to clear under their own name or organization, such goods shall be cleared by the respective consignee on payment of all applicable levies. Therefore, it is advised that all relief consignments be consigned to the DMC for duty free clearance.
4. Who will undertake the distribution?
The distribution of the goods cleared under the DMC shall take place in accordance with the guidelines determined by the Government.
For further clarifications, please contact the following;
– Disaster Management Center:
Mr. Jagath Mahendra – Deputy Director
Mobile : +94 77 395 7905
E-Mail : jagathm@dmc.gov.lk
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism:
Mr. Sugeeshwara Gunaratna
Mobile: +94 702338591
E-Mail: sugeeshwara.gunaratna@mfa.gov.lk
Ms. Anzul Jhan
Mobile: +94 712499254
E-Mail: anzul.jhan@mfa.gov.lk
– Sri Lanka Customs:
Email: relief25@customs.gov.lk
Hotline: +94 70 475 2823
(Colombo/Dec2/2025)
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