Sri Lanka, March 26 -- Customs Director General Seevali Arukgoda stated that cargo clearance operations at the Hambantota Port will commence from May.

He said the department has finalised all necessary arrangements to facilitate these operations. The Director General further noted that they expect to introduce a "Pre-Arrival Clearance" system in the near future.

This system will allow importers to complete the clearance process before the vessel reaches the port.

Once the ship arrives, stakeholders can transport containers directly without undergoing immediate customs inspections. The department currently conducts all customs activities through computerised systems. Arukgoda explained that all processes now function online. These steps...