The President of the Vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL), Prasad Manage, urged the government to waive the 3 percent penalty on vehicles cleared after three months, given the current economic challenges following the recent disaster.
He noted that the disaster has caused a sharp decline in vehicle sales, with many customers unable to complete their purchases due to financial difficulties.
Manage also emphasized that the government should prioritize reducing prices of small vehicles commonly used by the general public.
He called for a revision of the pricing and tax structure for low engine-capacity vehicles to improve affordability, particularly for the 1,000cc category, including models such as the Alto, Wagon R, Yaris, and Hustler, which are typically purchased by middle-income consumers.
Pointing out that a Wagon R currently attracts taxes of around Rs. 4 million despite being a small, fuel-efficient vehicle, he said, “These are vehicles primarily purchased by middle-class citizens. Such vehicles should be encouraged and made more accessible to the general public.”
