With the removal of the ban on vehicle imports for personal use, the import of vehicles will begin by the end of this month, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe said.
He said that with the reopening of the market for vehicle imports, people are hoping to purchase vehicles available in Sri Lankan households at much lower prices.
Therefore, he said that the government revised the tax rates so that the value of vehicles already at homes does not decrease.
He also added that measures have been taken to avoid the formation of a ‘vehicle importer mafia’ in the country.
Sri Lanka’s decision to lift its five year ban on vehicle imports has sparked mixed reactions from industry leaders, with concerns emerging over affordability.
President of the Vehicle Importers’ Association Lanka (VIAL) Indika Sampath Merenchige warned that under the new system, an ordinary citizen would struggle to buy a vehicle for below Rs. 10 million. He pointed to the Government’s decision to limit imports to vehicles no older than three years, as a factor behind rising prices.
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