23 October 2023 11:02 pm Views - 2116
A total of 318 electric vehicle import licenses have been issued to Sri Lankans who have sent remittances to Sri Lanka through legal channels, and USD 38 million has been received for importing vehicles, the Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry said.
They said the initiative to encourage Sri Lankan migrant workers to send remittances through banks by introducing licenses to import electric vehicles was conducted with full transparency, and the initiative has been a successful attempt to increase the remittance earnings of the country.
According to the Ministry's official data, USD 4.3 billion was received in the first nine months of this year, and foreign remittances from Sri Lankans living abroad have surged by 75% compared to the previous year.
"The vehicle import licenses issued under this initiative are not exempt from import duty, and the initiative is a Cabinet decision in line with the aim of encouraging Sri Lankans abroad to send remittances through legal channels.
All imported vehicles are required to pay the full customs duty and other taxes levied by the Customs Department, thus contributing to state revenue, said the Ministry.
The Minister also invited all institutions and associations involved in the vehicle import business, including the Vehicle Importers Association, to join this programme at the beginning of this initiative.
"The interference of Parliament and the committees of the Parliament in business matters related to vehicle importers is regrettable, and we strongly condemn the use of Parliament and its committees for such business matters.
"The Ministry strongly emphasizes that all possible steps will be taken to increase remittance earnings, and narrow political objectives cannot reverse these initiatives," the Minister added. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)