Sri Lanka Customs

Sri Lanka Customs is one of the oldest government departments which collects more than 50% of the government tax revenue. This department directly comes under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and mass media. The head of this important government department, the Director General of Customs is assisted in her duties by five additional Director Generals and over two thousand employees. The main functions of this government department are Revenue collection, facilitation of legitimate trade, prevention of frauds relating to cross-border trading, providing statistics and cooperation and coordination with other government departments and stakeholders in respect of imports and exports. The department of Customs at present is gearing itself towards further modernizing its activities in parallel to the implementation of the WTO trade facilitation agreement in the country. For further details visit  www.customs.gov.lk/

Department of Commerce

The Department of Commerce is the key government agency which is responsible for all matters related to foreign trade between Sri Lanka and other countries. The mission of the Department of Commerce according to its website is " to develop and promote Sri Lanka’s foreign trade relations at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels by the effective implementation of government trade policy, with a view to raising the standards of living and realizing a higher quality of life through the increase of total production, income and employment levels, thereby actively contributing to the overall economic growth of Sri Lanka.” The department of commerce issues certificates of origin for Sri Lankan exports for obtaining concessions under numerous Bilateral and Multilateral trade agreements such as EU (GSP), Other GSP, Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA), Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA) and SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) .The office of this important government department is situated at No 492, LHP Building,R.A.Demel Mawatha,Colombo 03.For further details visit www.doc.gov.lk/

Department of Import and Export Control

Established in the year of 1969 the department of import and export control plays a major role in regulating and monitoring of policy decisions taken by the government from time to time in relation to security, economy, public health, and environment etc. This department comes under the purview of the ministry of industry and commerce. The present role of this department has shifted from the implementation of a controlling mechanism to a regulatory approach with a perspective of facilitating the country’s international trade according to its website. For further details visit www.imexport.gov.lk/ 

Department of Foreign Exchange 

The department of foreign exchange formerly known as the department of exchange control exercises the foreign exchange management function in Sri Lanka. This department comes under the purview of the central bank of Sri Lanka. The foreign exchange management policies implemented by this department are based on the provisions of the exchange control act no 24 of 1953. With the advent of the open economy in Sri Lanka since 1977 the department has liberalized its exchange control regime substantially achieving complete current account convertibility and substantially liberalizing capital transactions over the years according to its website. Through its major divisions such as Investment, migrant fund transfer, policy, monitoring and investigation divisions the department of Foreign Exchange carries out its major responsibilities. For further details visit https://www.dfe.lk/

Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic resources has been established in accordance with the Fisheries and aquatic resources act No 02 of 1996.Under the leadership of its Director General, the department is functioning through its six divisions and 15 Assistant Directorate divisions throughout the country carrying out important functions such as Fisheries management, promoting Fisheries industries, carrying out monitoring surveillance and controlling of fisheries activities,  quality control of fisheries products and various other welfare activities such as disseminating weather reports, Tsunami warnings, devising and implementing a code of conduct for fishing and fisheries insurance policies. This department also is responsible for making decisions on cross-border trading of fisheries and aquatic resources. For further details visit fisheriesdept.gov.lk

Department of Forest Conservation

Forest Department was started as the Office of the Conservator of Forests in 1887 denoting the commencement of forest conservation and scientific forestry in Sri Lanka. Both forest and wildlife management was carried out by the Forest Department until the establishment of Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1949. Today about 55% of the forest lands of the country falls under the purview of the Forest Department while the balance forest area is primarily managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation with an exception of very small extents of isolated forest patches under the purview of other state agencies and private ownership. Forest Department also manages ninety thousand hectares of forest plantations. The head office of the Forest Department is situated at ‘Sampathpaya', 82, Rajamalwatta Road, Battaramulla and its field network includes regional, district and range offices throughout the country. This department also deals with issuance of permits for products of forestry mainly for export purposes. For further details visit https://www.forestdept.gov.lk

Department of Ayurveda

Department of Ayurveda is established under the enactment of Ayurveda act, No. 31 of 1961. A Commissioner is appointed under the Act, for development of Ayurveda medicine. The Commissioner for Ayurveda is responsible for the supervision and administrative control of the Department. The main objectives of the Department of Ayurveda according to its website are, (1). Provision of curative services-indoor and outdoor-on the basis of indigenous  methods of treatment, through a network of hospitals and dispensaries, and provision of establishment and services necessary for treatment of diseases, preservation and promotion of health according to indigenous methods of treatment.(2). Provision and standardization of educational and professional levels in Ayurveda and encouragement of research in Ayurveda. (3). Provision of ancillary services to facilities treatment, study and research in Ayurveda. In addition to the above the department of Ayurveda is vested with the powers of taking legal decisions on the cross border transactions of Ayurveda herbs and medicaments to and from Sri Lanka. For further details visit: https://www.ayurveda.gov.lk/

Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council

Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Act, No. 40 of 2014 certified on 04th November 2014, empowers the Atomic Energy Regulatory Council for the regulation of practices involving ionizing radiation, the safety and security of sources and the Non- Proliferation of nuclear weapons and the safeguards. The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council ensures adequate protection of individuals, society and the environment now and in the future, against the potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation and for the safety and security of radiation sources, by the establishment and maintenance of a regulatory control system, including the adoption of standards, licensing system, inspection and enforcement to govern all practices involving ionizing radiation. This council is also vested with the powers of making regulatory decisions on the controlling of the levels of radiation that could be available in certain goods such as milk powder imported into Sri Lanka. For further details visit: https://www.aerc.gov.lk/Home/

Food control administration unit

The food control administration unit of Sri Lanka operates under the Ministry of Health and indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka. This department regulates food safety measures in three important areas namely importation, exportation and local manufacturing and distribution of food products. The Food Act No 26 of 1980 amended 1n 1991 and 2001 and the 32 regulations promulgated under this act governs the measures by this important government agency in regulating the import, export and local manufacturing/distribution. These functions are mostly carried out by the 350 medical officers of health and 1600 food inspectors throughout Sri Lanka. The food inspectors appointed under this act are posted to all Customs examination points to ensure compliance of the food act in the imports and exports to and from Sri Lanka. For further details visit: www.health.gov.lk/enWeb/FOODWEB/index.html 

National Gem and Jewellery Authority

In the year 1993 Parliament of Sri lanka enacted a new act to establish the National Gem & Jewellery Authority for the development, regulation and promotion of the Gem Industry and the Jewellery Industry; To provide for the establishment of institutions to promote such development, for the repeal the State Gem Corporation Act, No 13 of 1971; And for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The National Gem & Jewellery Authority is in the business of providing, facilitating services for the promotion of sustainable development of the Gem & Jewellery industry in Sri Lanka. It facilitates identification of gem deposits and gem mining, Jewellery trading, value enhancement, value addition and valuation of gems. It also enables research, laboratory services, assaying, hallmarking of Jewellery, exporting and marketing of such products local and international markets. The Sri Lanka Customs has a gemology unit within the premises of the head office of the National Gem and Jewellery authority to facilitate exportation and importation of gems and Jewellery to and from Sri Lanka. For further details contact:  www.ngja.gov.lk/si

National Dangerous Drugs Control Board

NDDCB is the pioneer Government Institution which discharges its functions with an aim to eradicate the drug menace from Sri Lanka. Among the other functions, providing treatment to the drug dependents and rehabilitation of drug dependents are main roles of the NDDCB. In 1984, parliament enacted the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Act No. 11 of 1984 and created the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board within the Ministry of Defense. The Board came into operation on the 9th of April 1984.This Board was designated the principal national institution charged with the formulation and review of a national policy relating to prevention and control of the abuse of dangerous drugs and the treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers and was given power to advise and make recommendation to the minister on such policy. The NDDCB works in conjunction with Customs, Police narcotics bureau and the Tri Forces in interdicting and eradicating cross border trafficking of narcotics. For further details visit www.nddcb.gov.lk/

Department of Trade and Investment policy

The Department of Trade and Investment policy executes its functions as a government agency directly coming under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media. The department is located at the secretariat building in Colombo 1. The objectives of this department are stated as “Formulation and implementation of Sustainable Policies in External Trade, Tariff and Investment for the benefit of Sri Lankan Economy and the people”. This department is also entrusted with making decisions on Tariff and policy-related issues concerning the cross-border transaction of goods and services. For further details visit; www.treasury.gov.lk

Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security

This Ministry has been assigned the functions of planning, formulating, coordinating, implementing and setting up of the necessary infrastructure for the promotion and development of the industrial sector. Creation of a conducive environment for sustainable, commercially competitive, manufacturing entities, producing high value-added products and a vibrant commercial regime capable of contributing to the enhancement of living standards of the people are stated as the mission of the ministry in its website. This ministry is entrusted with among other, making policy decisions with regard to export-oriented industries and facilitating the process. A division of this ministry is also entrusted with supervision of the TIEP (temporary importation for export purposes) scheme administered by Sri Lanka Customs department. For further details https://www.trade.gov.lk/

Ministry of Petroleum Resources Development

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources Development which is currently responsible for upstream and downstream activities of petroleum sector was established by virtue of Government Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 1933/13 dated 21.09.2015. Of the institutions coming under the ministry, CPC is carrying out all the commercial activities related to importing, refining, blending storing, distributing and retailing of petroleum products (downstream petroleum industry) while CPSTL is responsible for storage and distribution of Petroleum Products. This ministry issues licenses for the cross-border trading of all petroleum and related products. For further details petroleummin.gov.lk/

Department of Inland Revenue

One of the most important government agencies of Sri Lanka the department of Inland Revenue collects the much needed taxes for the state’s coffers. The Mission statement of this department reads as “To collect taxes in-terms of relevant tax and other related laws, by encouraging voluntary compliance while deterring tax evasion and tax avoidance, and to enhance public confidence in the tax system by administering relevant tax and other related legislation fairly, friendly and expeditiously and thereby facilitate and foster a beneficial tax culture. This departments registers and issues Taxpayer identification numbers and VAT registration numbers for prospective importers and exporters. The Customs department collects and remits the import VAT on behalf of the Inland Revenue Department. For further details www.ird.gov.lk/

Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

The geological survey and mines bureau, the premier government agency saddled with the responsibility of promoting mineral based industries in Sri Lanka was established through the Mines and minerals Act No 33 of 1991 to combine the functions of geological survey and modern mining. Minerals, by way of providing substitutes for expensive imports, commodities for the building and construction industry and the raw materials for the export industries create employment and generate income for the country. The bureau is also responsible for  making decisions on cross-border transportation of mining and mineral products to and from the country.For further details visit https://www.gsmb.gov.lk

The Department of Archaeology

Sri Lanka despite the fact of being a tiny speck of an island in the Indian Ocean, is a land of prestige and glory, as she boasts of over two hundred and fifty thousand archaeological sites and a legacy of innumerable antiquities. According to the Antiquities Ordinance, No. 9 of 1940 and its Amendment No. 24 of 1998, the protection of this heritage is the sole responsibility of the Director General of Archaeology. Accordingly the mission of the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka is to function as Sri Lanka’s apex institution and chief regulatory body for the management of its archaeological heritage. The Department of Archaeology is vested with the powers of making decisions on the cross-border transportation of archaeological goods in Sri Lanka. For further details visit  www.archaeology.gov.lk

Central Environmental Authority

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) was established on 12th August 1981, under the provision of the National Environmental Act No:47 of 1980. The Ministry of Environment which was established in December 2001 has the overall responsibility in the affairs of the CEA with the objective of integrating environmental considerations into the development process of the country. The CEA was given wider regulatory powers under the National Environment (Amendment) Acts No:56 of 1988 and No:53 of 2000.Prevent, abate and control pollution”. This important state arm is responsible for regulatory decisions oncross-border trading of goods which have environmental considerations. The objective of the CEA is stated on the website as “ Protect, manage and enhance the environment, Regulate, maintain and control the quality of the environment and For further details visit; https://www.cea.lk

Department of Rubber Development

The Rubber Development Department of the Ministry of Plantation Industries was established to enforce legislative provisions of the Rubber Control Act No.11 of 1956 and the Rubber Replanting Subsidy Act No.36 of 1953 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Commenced on 12th April 1934 as the Rubber Control Department on 1st July 1994 it was strengthened and renamed as the Rubber Development Department. Among other, principal objectives of the rubber development department according to its website are implementation of the powers vested under principal statutes and legal sources, issuances of licenses for sale of rubber, manufacture of rubber based products and export of rubber, interaction with international organizations in the spheres of production, consumption and trade in natural rubber and collection and administration of CESS on rubber. For further details visit www.rubberdev.gov.lk

Department of Agriculture

One of the largest government departments in Sri Lanka, the department of agriculture functions under the Ministry of agriculture. This department carries out its functions through a high profile community of agriculture scientists and a network of institutions covering different agro-ecological regions island wide. Main functions of this department are agriculture research, extension of agriculture, production of seed and planting material and implementing regulations such as plant protection act, soil conservation act, control of pesticides act and seed act. Department of agriculture mainly focuses on maintaining and increasing productivity and production of food crops in the country. For further details visit https://www.doa.gov.lk/

Board of Investment

With the advent of open economic policies in Sri Lanka 1977 the Sri Lankan government established the Greater Colombo Economic it also encourages and helps existing enterprises in dealing with macro time,At the same investment.  as a trade Hub, BOI mainly Encourages and promotes specifically foreign direct investments. This was reconstituted as Board of investment in 1992 with its mandate encompassing the whole island. The BOI is the central point for facilitating Sri Lankan and overseas investors in Sri Lanka. BOI companies today account for around 65% of Sri Lankan exports and 86% of the country’s industrial exports, employing around 47000 workers While promoting Sri Lcommissionsocio economic challenges and helps in their transformation into gearing themselves into the modern trading environment. For further details visit https://www.investsrilanka.com

Sri Lanka Standards Institution

The Sri Lanka standards institution popularly called as SLSI is the national standards body of Sri Lanka functioning under the Ministry of Science Technology and Research and governed by a council appointed by the minister in terms of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution Act No. 6 of 1984. Being the premier national organization, by way of implementing the necessary standards of products, this organization envisages to safeguard the interest of consumers while improving the quality of life for its employees as well as the general public. While participating in international and regional standardization activities to safeguard national interest SLSI also functions as a member of the international organization for Standardization (ISO). For further details visit www.slsi.lk/

Sri Lanka Tea Board

Famed for producing the finest Black tea in the world Sri Lanka is celebrating a history of 15o years of providing the world with its finest of beverages. Sri Lanka Tea Board is the APEX regulatory and administrative body set up in the year 1976 comprising representatives of both private and public bodies involved in the industry. The promotion division of the Sri Lanka Tea Board is responsible for defining promoting and protecting the image of Ceylon tea around the world while conducting its own domestic and international marketing and promotion activities with respect to the product itself, supplementing and supporting the efforts of Sri Lankan tea exporters and brand owners. The Tea commissioners division oversees the regulatory activities connected to the cultivation, manufacturing and quality development of Sri Lanka Tea while implementing stringent measures to protect the brand image. For further details visit  https://www.pureceylontea.com/

Sri Lanka Export Development Board 

Sri Lanka export development board popularly known as EDB is Sri Lanka’s apex organization for the promotion of  and development of exports .EDB is the executive arm of the  export development council of ministers  which is the policy-making body of the  EDB. This council of ministers is headed by H.E the president of Sri Lanka. As the national policy-making body responsible for development and promotion of exports of Sri Lanka the board is mandated with advising the government with export policy, Monitoring the performance of the export sector, implementing product design and market development programmes to promote Sri Lankan exports of goods and services ,facilitate and coordinate export development activities with all stakeholders and providing advisory services  and information with regard to all aspects of export business. For further details visit  www.srilankabusiness.com/     

Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has been lucky to have the upgraded telecommunication facilities in par with most of the developed countries in the world. As the national regulatory agency for telecommunications in Sri Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka Popularly known as TRC promotes and sustains the industry by shaping the regulatory process, protecting public interest and being responsive to challenges in a way that will ensure that the competition in the market is open fair and effective. The regulatory functions of telecommunication regulatory authority includes issuances of license/approvals for importation of telecommunication apparatus, license to operate telecommunication services, monitoring and ensuring proper usage of frequency spectrums and providing information to the public on quality and variety of telecommunication services. For further details visit  www.trc.gov.lk/

National Medicines Regulatory Authority

National medicines regulatory authority popularly called as NMRA has been set up by the government to replace the Cosmetics, devices and drugs authority of Sri Lanka. The Mission of this authority is to “regulate and control the manufacture importation, sale storage and distribution of cosmetics  devices and drugs including nutraceuticals and borderline devices efficiently and effectively while ensuring national usage”. Major functions of this organization includes Registering new drugs cosmetics and medical devices, licensing and monitoring importation manufacturing, sale ,advertisements and distribution ,surveillance of  quality of drugs available in the market and monitoring and implementing good manufacturing practices  for pharmaceutical and cosmetics. For further details visit https://nmra.gov.lk/

National intellectual property office of Sri Lanka

National intellectual property office of Sri Lanka is a leading government institution established to provide quality focused productive services with an objective to achieve a market-oriented intellectual property system in the country. The main function of this organization is the administration of intellectual property including registration of trademarks, patents industrial designs and registration and administration of collective management societies according to its website. The national intellectual property office of Sri Lanka works in close cooperation with Sri Lanka customs in preventing the importation and selling of counterfeit import products in Sri Lanka. For further details visit www.nipo.gov.lk/ 

The Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH)

The Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) is the state organization which is responsible for providing technical leadership to the Livestock Industry and its stakeholders in Sri Lanka. The DAPH, which is located in Peradeniya, in the Hill Capital of Kandy, Sri Lanka is administered under the Ministry of Livestock and Rural Community Development. With the establishment of Provincial Councils in 1988 most of DAPH‘s field level functions were devolved to nine (09) Provincial Departments of Animal Production and Health (PDAPH) headed by Provincial Directors.  This department is empowered to take legal decisions concerning the protection of health and well-being of animals at the points of cross-border transportation to and from Sri Lanka. For further details visit;https://www.daph.gov.lk/

SriLankan Cargo

SriLankan Cargo is the principal ground handling agent for all air cargo imports and exports at the Airport and works with other principal line agencies such as Sri Lanka Customs and the Airports Authority of Sri Lanka assisting regulatory and administrative functions in the cross-border transactions of Air cargo.and livestock. Using  ‘people brand’ – the natural warmth and hospitality of Sri Lankan’s, differentiates their product according to their website . Since the inception of the Airline in 1979, SriLankan Cargo provides convenient connections to its global route network of 99 destinations in 47 countries in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Far East, North America and Australia and is a vital link in the supply chain of leading brand named product manufacturers who depend on speedy and reliable delivery in a world of ‘just in time’ manufacturing. For further details visit:https://www.srilankancargo.com/

The Department of Export Agriculture

The department of Export agriculture has its main office situated at Peradeniya in the District of Kandy.The mission of the department according to its website is “Planning and Implementation of an appropriate Research and Development Programme with the prime objective of earning more foreign exchange through enhancement of quality and quantity of Export Agricultural Crop Production for sustainable development of economic and social standards of all the stakeholders of the Export Agricultural Crop (EAC) sector while ensuring the safeguards to environment” .The vision of the department is stated as “Excellence in Exports of Spices and Allied Products” This department is empowered to take legal decisions on exports and imprts of a group of perennial, export agricultural crops (EAC) such as Cinnamon, Pepper, Cardamom, Clove, Nutmeg, Coffee, Cocoa, Vanilla, Betel, Citronella etc.. For further details: https://dea.gov.lk/

The Department of Excise

The Department of Excise operates under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and Planning. It has the legal authority for the implementation of the excise policies of the government and relevant activities including the protection and collection of excise revenue, principally under the Excise Ordinance (Chapter 52 of the Legislative Enactment). In addition, the authority and responsibility for administration of the Tobacco Tax Act No. 08 of 1999, the collective responsibility for the enforcement of Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance with the Police and other relevant agencies and the responsibility of effecting of National Authority Act No.27 of 2006 on Tobacco & Alcohol are also mandatory functions delegated to the Department. The Department also acts as a principal agency holding the authority for the enforcement of provisions of the above Ordinances, Acts and consequential rules and regulations, notifications, orders and directives. The Department is engaged in performing a national mission providing social security, by collecting a part of government revenue to finance the country’s economic development as well as by preventing and detecting illegal activities of every description falling under the above legislation. This department issues licenses/approvals to the importers/exporters, and distillers of liquor in Sri Lanka. For further details visit https://www.excise.gov.lk/

Department of wildlife conservation

 Conservation of Sri Lanka’s irreplaceable indigenous flora and fauna together with their natural habitats is a national priority. The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) is the principle government institution responsible for the protection of wildlife resources of the country over its entire land and sea territories. DWC also bears the legal authority to establish and manage the network of Wildlife Protected Areas (WLPAs) of the country, which at present exceeds a total area of 8500 km2; 13% of Sri Lanka’s land surface.. “Conservation of Wildlife Heritage for Present & Future Generation” is the vision statement of the department while the mission statement of the department states “Working with others to Ensure Conservation and Wildlife Heritage through Professional Management”. The department of wildlife conservation is empowered to take legal decisions on the importation and exportation of wildlife in Sri Lanka. For further details visit; https://www.dwc.gov.lk/