Former parliamentarian Wasantha Yapa Bandara says that he has been questioning Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage whether every household can get a Vitz car for Rs. 1.2 million after the upcoming budget.
Recalling Hewage’s pre-election promise of delivering a Vitz for Rs. 1.2 million, Bandara said that the people voted for the National People’s Power due to such statements.
The former parliamentarian expressed these views while addressing a media conference held in Kandy.
Addressing presidential election rallies last year, Hewage said that a Japanese-made Vitz car could be brought to Sri Lanka for Rs. 1.2 million and that everyone would be able to afford it at those prices.
However, he alleged that the then government was charging a tax of Rs. 7-8 million for those vehicles and as such, the people were not in a position to purchase vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Vehicle Importers’ Association has raised concerns about the potential hike in vehicle import taxes, which are currently at approximately 300%.
According to the association, taxes could climb to 400%, 500%, or even 600% for certain vehicles.
The association predicts that taxes on a Vitz could jump from Rs. 2 million to approximately Rs. 2.4 million.
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