Author · Philanthropist · Honorary Doctorate Recipient
Est.
1978
Joined Sri Lanka Customs
Ranjan Piyasiri Dantanarayana, commonly known as Ranjan (born July 9th 1954). Studied at the Sri Sumangala College, Panadura. Joined Sri Lanka Customs as a Customs Officer class II on 17th April 1978 and retired as a Director of Customs at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Airport, Maththala on 8th July 2014.
Additionally, rendered an honorary service voluntarily at the Presidential Secretariat as the Consultant on Customs Affairs since 2010 August to January 8th 2015. While in the service, he has served many important branches and sections in the Customs and gathered vast experience and knowledge of Customs Ordinance and relevant matters.
Presently, enjoying and relaxing his retired life while writing to share his experience and knowledge to Deshaya Sunday paper and making contributions to under privileged schools in rural areas.
“Defending the Dignity and Image of the Sri Lanka Customs”
— Thesis title, Doctor of Social Science (D.S.Sc), California Public University, 2019
The Token of Appreciation received on the day of handing over, 7 July 2023, for the donation made to the Mahinda Primary School, Eriyawa, Ehatuwewa in Kurunegala district to erect an electric barrier around the school to avoid encroaching wild elephants to the school premises.
The Token of Appreciation received on the 3rd October 2024 from the Mawella Primary School in Galle district for the donation made to construct a Plastic Coated Wire Mesh for the safety and benefit of the students.
Received an Honorary Doctorate from the California Public University on the 30th June 2019 after having compiled a Thesis on "Doctor of Social Science (D.S.Sc) Specializing in Public Service" — defending the Dignity and Image of the Sri Lanka Customs.
This had been published as my 1st article in the Sunday Deshaya paper on the 28th June 2020. This BMW 3 series, brand new, fully automated and super luxury Motor Car had been imported from Germany by a member of an influential family of both financially and politically by declaring as an used motor car defrauding the Customs duty and other levies. Having taken in to custody an inquiry was held and due to political interferences, had to release, after recovery of Rs.6,00,000/= as a mitigated further forfeiture...
Published as the 2nd article in the Sunday Deshaya paper on the 5th July 2020. In 1986, this brand new Mitsubishi Starion 2 door coupe luxury sports motor car had been imported from Japan and declared and cleared as a Mitsubishi Gallant car defrauding the Customs duty and other levies. After the Customs inquiry this vehicle was forfeited and released on a mitigated further forfeiture of Rs.4.25.000/= equivalent to the defrauded revenue....
This had been published as my 3rd article in the Sunday Deshaya paper on the 12th July 2020. This brand new 1800 c.c. Toyota Corolla 2 door coupe sports motor car had been imported from Japan and cleared from the Customs as 1500 c.c. motor vehicle defrauding the Customs duty and other levies. Subsequently forfeited and released on a mitigated further forfeiture...
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Electric Barrier Project
Mahinda Primary School
Wire Mesh Safety Project
Mawella Primary School
Media Feature
Press Coverage
Invitation received from the Buckingham Palace to attend the Celebration of the Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II — the Longest Reigning Monarch and Coronation Ranges.
The email and Royal Gifts received from the Buckingham Palace, two days prior to my 66th birthday. A gold-plated fountain pen and cap with the official Buckingham Palace crest.
The email received as the gesture of continuous correspondence via emails with the Buckingham Palace since 20th August 2017.
Attended as the Chief Guest at the 2nd Awards Presentation of the International Conference on Recent Arts, Science, Engineering and Technology, held on 30th June 2019 at DS Hotel, Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, India.
Received these two memorabilia for Best Public Service and Lifetime Achievement for participating at the International Samata Sahitya Conference held on 9th June 2019 at Gangtok (Sikkim), India.
Attended as the Chief Guest of the conference organized by the Samata Sahitya Academy on "Similarity of Socio-Cultural Habits and Festivals of Dubai and India", on 26th December 2019 at the Al Khoory Executive Hotel Conference Hall, Dubai.
In 2018, while I was in California with our elder daughter and family in Newark, had an opportunity to submit an application to register to obtain an Honorary Doctorate offered by the California Public University. I duly submit my application with my CV, knowledge and experience gathered while I was serving for 36+ years in the Sri Lanka Customs Department and additionally, service rendered as the Consultant on Customs Affairs at the Presidential Secretariat on an honorary basis since August 2010 to 8th January 2015. Having accepted my application, I was instructed to submit a Thesis of my career in the Public Service and duly submitted a Thesis titled "How to perform Duties and Responsibilities whilst Facing Challenges and Defending the Dignity and Image of the Sri Lanka Customs". Having accepted and compiled with all the requirements of the faculty of the University and by the Authority of the Senate, above Doctorate was awarded me on the 30th June 2019.
Responses received from the officials of the Presidential Secretariat for the letters forwarded to H.E. the President since 26th September 2024 on various important issues especially related to the Country, Customs and its staff.
Official Response
Presidential Secretariat — Sep 26, 2024
Response received for the letter I forwarded to the President on 26th September 2024.
Official Response
Ministry of Finance
Response received from the Ministry of Finance regarding related fiscal matters.
Official Response
Ministry of Finance — Mar 1, 2025
Second response from the Ministry of Finance following a reminder to the Central Bank (01 Mar 2025). Awaiting Central Bank reply.
Official Response
Presidential Secretariat — Jan 22, 2025
Letter received as the response to my letter sent to the President on the 16th December 2024 on Recruitment of Ladies to the Unified Customs as Assistant Superintendant of Customs.
Official Response
Presidential Secretariat — Jan 24, 2025
The letter received from the Presidential Secretariat on the 24th January 2025 as the response to my letter sent to HE the President on the 26th December 2024 on "Destroying of Poisonous Narcotics Seized within the Country". Before this, a detailed report was sent to the then Minister of Justice on the 19th January 2023 and 3 similar letters to the Ministers of Justice who were appointed subsequently. All had been referred to the Legal Division of the Ministry of Justice except one and letters had been exchanged with the Departments of Attorney General and Customs but no final decision had been made yet due to an illegal decision to hand over the Narcotics seized by the Customs to the Police Narcotics Bureau in operation since 10th March 1983 as decided by the National Narcotics Advisory Board. However, according to the existing legal provisions, the destroying of narcotics should be done in accordance with section 43 of the Customs Ordinance.
Official Response
Presidential Secretariat — Feb 3, 2025
Response received with regard to the letter sent to HE the President on this subject matter on 10th January 2025. So far no response received from the Director General of Customs. After this, an article was published in the Sunday Deshaya paper on 2nd of March 2025, an interview was held with the Hiru TV news and a discussion held with the Daily Mirror paper and was published on 21st May.
Official Response
Presidential Secretariat — Feb 26, 2025
Letter received as the response to my proposal made to the President on 26th February 2025 on importation of motor vehicles for private use without any impact to the foreign exchange reserves in the country.
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