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New Director-General gives top priority to build Customs Dept image

by Sarath Malalasekera

The new Director-General of Customs C. Sarath W. Jayatilleke said he has given priority to build the image of his department as an efficient outfit.

Jayatilleke who succeeded Janath Gunaratne as the new Director General of Customs joined the Department in 1978 as an assistant collector. In 1989 he was promoted as a Director of Customs and in 2001 as Deputy Director General of Customs.

He assumed duties as Director General of Customs this year. Jayatilleke had his education at Marie Stella College, and Henegama Central College. He graduated from the Peradeniya University.

"My task is to maintain the highest standard in the department. I have no doubt that all my staff will join me in this effort," he said.

Jayatilleke is keen on having a dialogue with all stake holders, namely organisations like-trade Chambers, Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents, Shippers Council, Association of the Clearing and Forwarding Agents and others at regular intervals to exchange views and suggestions to ensure transparency in the Customs Department activities.

He is also keen to implement the Electronic Data Input (EDI) scheme of processing documents thus eliminating delays in processing documents at Customs.

The new Director General emphasised that the EDI scheme will also speed up clearance of cargo from the port and airport and also improve the department's integrity.

WTO valuation system is also to be introduced shortly.

Customs staff and other stake holders will be educated on implementing the WTO scheme effectively, he added.

With assistance from SAARC countries, Jayatilleke hopes to wipeout the drug menace from the country.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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