Govt to fix scanners to fast track cargo services | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

Govt to fix scanners to fast track cargo services

13 September, 2020

The Government will fix scanners at airports soon to fast track cargo services to reduce the time spent on getting approval from separate institutions before clearance, Aviation and Export Zones Development State Minister D.V. Chanaka said.

The new procedure will reduce the time and improve the efficiency of cargo clearance. State Minister Chanaka said cargo clearance is usually sought by Sri Lanka Customs, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, the Airforce and SriLankan Airlines.

The Aviation Ministry hopes to merge the database of these institutions by using scanners.

“At present, it takes three hours to get a cargo cleared at the airport. We hope to cut down that time by half,” the State Minister said. The Aviation Ministry has called for a feasibility report and separate reports from all stakeholders to analyse their requirements. State Minister Chanaka said the project will cost about Rs. 700 million and the scanners are expected to be fixed within a month.

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana said the Government is exploring new products that can be branded and exported, and added that research is being carried out to identify the best which has a global demand, and is grown in the island successfully.

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