Sri Lanka’s ban on vehicle imports has been relaxed to allow one-year-old vehicles to be imported for tourism purposes, as approved by the Cabinet, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.
Speaking to reporters, State Minister Siyambalapitiya said the vehicle import ban, which was imposed during the economic crisis, was relaxed in phases to meet special requirements.
He further said that the import ban was recently relaxed for vehicle imports for the Health Sector and has now received Cabinet approval to be relaxed for tourism purposes.
“It is considered a custom within the tourist industry that vehicles engaged in the tourism industry for transportation of tourists would not be used for more than 06 years and it is apparent that the condition of the vehicles used in the tourism industry for transportation in Sri Lanka is not satisfactory and sufficient. Therefore, the requirement of importing vehicles essential for enhancing the industry was recognized considering the contribution to the tourist industry within the economic revival process of Sri Lanka,” he said.
State Minister Siyambalapitiya said that taking into consideration these facts, Cabinet approval was granted to import 750 vans with a seating capacity of 6-15 (electric and hybrid) and 250 buses with a seating capacity of 16-30 for small buses and larger buses with a seating capacity of 30- 45.
He added that these vehicle imports will be permitted without any special tax relief and are subjected to the usual tax payments. (NewsWire)
