Imagine a country in economic transition where customs authorities transform from border guardians into catalysts for recovery. This vision was articulated by Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), during his 2011 commencement address at Sri Lanka's Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) and subsequent engagements. The series of events painted a compelling blueprint for customs modernization's role in national development.
Commencement Address: The Pillars of Knowledge, Communication and Integrity
At the invitation of PIM Dean Professor Uditha Liyanage, Mikuriya addressed 468 graduates from various master's programs at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. His speech emphasized three critical attributes for future leaders: continuous learning, effective communication, and unwavering integrity.
"In our rapidly evolving global environment," Mikuriya noted, "only perpetual learning maintains competitiveness, while communication serves as the essential bridge across disciplines and cultures." He particularly stressed integrity as the foundation of leadership—the quality that builds trust and lasting partnerships. The WCO leader encouraged graduates to develop both specialized expertise and the ability to think across boundaries with global perspective.
Innovation in Education: The Customs Management Master's Program
A landmark development was the inaugural graduation of 60 students from the two-year Master of Customs Administration (MCA) program—a joint initiative between PIM and the University of Canberra's Centre for Customs and Excise Studies. The cohort comprised 52 Sri Lankan customs officers, five Maldivian customs officials, and three private sector students.
This pioneering curriculum blended academic theory with practical application, creating professionals equipped with international outlooks and adaptability for complex operational environments. The program's design fostered unprecedented collaboration between public and private sectors, injecting new vitality into customs modernization efforts.
Research Symposium: Knowledge-Driven Customs Reform
Preceding the commencement, PIM hosted a research symposium featuring six customs-related projects developed by MCA graduates, attended by Sri Lanka Customs Director General Mrs. S. Karunaratne and her leadership team. Mikuriya praised the knowledge-based methodology demonstrated in presentations spanning risk management, trade facilitation, digital transformation, and personnel training.
The symposium provided a rare platform for direct dialogue between emerging professionals and senior administrators, yielding actionable insights for policy development. Mikuriya encouraged deeper investigation into the presented topics, underscoring research's role in evidence-based customs administration.
High-Level Consultations: Modernization for Post-Conflict Recovery
Beyond academic events, Mikuriya held substantive meetings with Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and Customs Director General Karunaratne, examining customs' strategic position in post-conflict economic reconstruction. The discussions framed modernization as more than technological upgrades—rather a fundamental transformation of management philosophies and institutional frameworks.
"By streamlining clearance procedures, enhancing risk management, and improving transparency," Mikuriya asserted, "customs can create competitive trade environments that attract investment and stimulate growth." He reiterated WCO's commitment to providing technical assistance and capacity building support for Sri Lanka's customs transformation.
Private Sector Engagement: Building Efficient Trade Ecosystems
The visit included inspection of new customs facilities and roundtable discussions with business representatives, who expressed willingness to collaborate on automation and risk management improvements for expedited clearances. Industry participants emphasized that streamlined processes constitute key determinants for investment decisions and trade expansion.
Both sides acknowledged the mutual benefits of combating smuggling and tax evasion while maintaining fair market competition. The dialogue established constructive channels for ongoing public-private cooperation in trade facilitation.
Analytical Perspective: The Strategic Value of Customs Modernization
Examining these events holistically reveals several critical insights about customs' evolving role in economic development:
1. Knowledge as Transformation Lever: The MCA program's success demonstrates how systematic education elevates customs professionals' decision-making capabilities and operational effectiveness.
2. Public-Private Synergy: Collaborative frameworks between customs and businesses emerge as indispensable components for trade facilitation and compliant commerce.
3. Modernization Imperative: In post-conflict contexts, customs reforms assume heightened significance as economic recovery accelerators through trade-enabling environments.
4. Global Cooperation Value: International partnerships, particularly through WCO's technical support mechanisms, prove essential for developing nations navigating complex trade landscapes.
Mikuriya's Sri Lanka mission not only advanced local customs modernization but also established a replicable model for developing economies worldwide. The experience underscores how integrated approaches combining knowledge development, institutional reform, and cross-sector collaboration can reshape customs authorities into powerful economic enablers.