The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has launched a new initiative to introduce an Air Cargo Community System (ACCS) aimed at making Sri Lanka’s air cargo operations faster, more efficient and transparent.An earlier attempt to implement the system in 2023 did not progress due to a lack of coordination and consensus among the relevant stakeholders. The initiative has now been revived with the participation of key government agencies, industry bodies and other institutions.

A multi-stakeholder committee has been established with representatives from Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka), Sri Lanka Customs, the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, SriLankan Airlines, the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Import and Export Control Department, the National Plant Quarantine Service, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka.The committee is currently conducting a feasibility study covering the technical, financial and operational aspects of introducing the system.A progress review meeting was held on August 21 under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodituwakku. Ministry Secretary W.W.S. Mangala and representatives of the participating institutions attended the meeting.The proposed system is expected to reduce delays and paperwork in air cargo clearance, improve information sharing among relevant institutions and provide a more efficient and transparent service for importers and exporters.

The ministry said the initiative is primarily focused on identifying bottlenecks in the existing air cargo process and developing practical digital solutions through cooperation among all stakeholders.