The Customs Service has far reaching responsibilities for the development of the country, protection of culture and improvement of society, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing Customs personnel at the ceremony to mark the 200th anniversary of establishing the Customs Service in Sri Lanka.

The President who expressed his attitude to the Customs Service for being responsible in raising 50% of the tax revenue of the country said there was a great need to increase government revenue as well as to be a country that is not indebted to any others.

Although the world economy was in decline and economic progress was described in negative terms, Sri Lanka was able to provide the funds for development despite the enormous cost of war. The presence of war did not prevent the building of rural infrastructure, expressways and power stations essential for development.

The per-capita income of the country had doubled within four years. The IMF had provided us with loan facilities having made careful studies of our economy. Countries with bad economic management do not get such loans. Speeding of development in the country requires increase in tax revenue. Although incomes in the country had increased tax revenue did not show a comparable increase.

President said that in such situations the Customs Service was very important. Traditionally Customs revenue was considered the share of the king. Which means, today it is the share of the people. It is the share that is required to spend for the progress of the people.

The President added that Customs personnel should rise against any attempt of bringing dishonor to their profession. The progress of the country meant the progress of everyone. Therefore the revenue that is meant to provide food, clothing, education, health, road construction and all such needs should be collected without evasion.

There is a common saying among the Customs that there is profit in detection as well as in evasion. If you catch contraband there is profit. If you turn a blind eye too there is profit. With rewards for detecting contraband goods or profits from turning a blind eye one could build a luxury house, own a luxury vehicle or amass a large amount of wealth. But all this is useless if the country is not developed. The development of the country impacts on the development of individuals. There is little purpose in a luxury vehicle where there are bad roads. The dignity of Custom officers is reduced by a few who act wrongly. This is similar to all politicians being brought to dishonor by the acts of a few, and the entire police service being disgraced by the behavior of a few.