Decision on vehicle import after President’s office recommendation: Siyambalapitiya

11 November 2023 10:29 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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COLOMBO (Daily MIrror) - A decision will be taken regarding the possibility of importing vehicles after receiving the recommendations of the committee appointed by the President's Office, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

While addressing a media interview yesterday, he said that he cannot announce a specific date for allowing vehicle imports as it will affect the vehicle market in the country.

"If I announce a date, there will be a huge change in local vehicle sales," Siyambalapitiya said.

Comments - 8

AMMI Saturday, 11 November 2023 11:31 AM

That's exactly what should happen, a huge change for local vehicle sales. At present the local vehicles prices have gone up unimaginably high.

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Gune Saturday, 11 November 2023 12:02 PM

Where do people find money to buy vehicles, other than corrupt politicians, public servants and those fraudsters? Is impoting cars the most important thing for SL now?

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Db Saturday, 11 November 2023 07:43 PM

Is it the most important thing? No but it's one step in the right direction. Vehicles are way overpriced time for a market correction

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Zarudeen Saturday, 11 November 2023 07:46 PM

Public servant? Pls don’t put all in the same basket

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Tissa Fernando Sunday, 12 November 2023 07:52 AM

Well, may be you don't have money, but just look at the facts, it is difficult to get a wedding reception date at the most expensive hotel Shangri-la as well as at other hotels, the outstation hotels are filled with local tourists, high end restaurants are overcrowded, many are sending their children to study abroad, Land Rover, Mercedes SuVs are the highly sought after vehicles , the highend apartments are sold out, detached houses cost 50 million upwards, I see many carry the latest smartphones , beauty salons are having good business, JVP leaders travel Business Class, JVP offices are very rich looking, JVP meetings look very rich too, JVP Advertisements are running in New York City public buses, the religious crowd too are very wealthy, some travel in latest European cars, so the list goes on. The moment the vehicle imports are allowed, there will be a massive number of vehicles coming into the country. Prospective buyers will have to be in the waiting list to buy a new car

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Trehan Munasinghe Saturday, 11 November 2023 05:45 PM

Obviously the used car market is way too expensive, the prices should reduce from a minimum of 50% on stated price. Imported new vehicles should NOT have a duty exceeding the manufacturer price. In Sri Lanka the a vehicle duty is from 200 - 300% which is absurdity, have a reasonable duty and import vehicles, and stick to it as a policy without changing it for elections and other reasons. Have an import quota, ensure that we import what is necessary for the country, and at an affordable price, don't tax our people for life to pay off their vehicle loans

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Mohan Saturday, 11 November 2023 09:38 PM

@Gune: Absolutely. We should not put pressure on the foreign reserves at this moment. Let the economy fully recover and thereafter we can allow vehicle import.

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FairJudge Sunday, 12 November 2023 11:08 AM

@Tiissa Fernando. You are absolutely right. This wonderland has got everything wrong. Where are the rax payers I would ask? Those who fill those high end places and spend such money; shouldn't they be paying good taxes rather than crying poor. You are also right with JVPiers too.

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