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Govt. in positive mind of importing vehicles from January: Importers
Colombo, October 04 (Daily Mirror) - There is a positive response from the government regarding the import of vehicles from January.
Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka (VIAL) President Indika Sampath Merinchige told the Daily Mirror that a decision had been taken by the government to import vehicles.
While commenting on rumours about increasing taxes when importing vehicles, he said that there is no truth of increasing import tax on higher margins.
Rumours were spread claiming that a 600% tax will be imposed when importing vehicles.
"There is no point in imposing 600% tax on vehicle imports. No one will buy vehicles if taxes are increased", he said.
Most of the vehicle sales centre owners have used vehicles and they are trying to sell their stocks cheating people by creating rumours, he said.
After the vehicle imports begin the unusually high existing vehicle market will come down to reasonable prices, Merinchige said.
Comments - 39
Comments - Govt. in positive mind of importing vehicles from January: Importers
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Rip Winkle Friday, 04 October 2024 10:10 PM
This is ridiculous. Sri Lanka can easily manage with existing number of vehicles for another couple of years (at least). It's only the greedy importers who are keen have the ban lifted.
34 72
Jayaratne Saturday, 05 October 2024 01:14 AM
Government is also losing a lot of revenue due to the ban. That's one reason for lifting the ban.
31 19
Pros and Cons Saturday, 05 October 2024 01:37 AM
But my friend, the existing economy ranged vehicles are being sold at a staggering price tag, and one of many reasons is due to this Import ban. It's like, for a price of a new Honda Civic in sri lanka, you can purchase a V8 in other countries even in india. A Basic car is considered a Luxury Item here and that needs to be changed. What I am tryna say is, a middle class must have access to mid range vehicles.Tuk tuk Mafia are making the real benefit out of this.
20 23
It can be beneficial. Saturday, 05 October 2024 08:55 AM
But my friend, the existing economy ranged vehicles are being sold at a staggering price tag, and one of many reasons is due to this Import ban. It's like, for a price of a new Honda Civic in sri lanka, you can purchase a V8 in other countries even in india. A Basic car is considered a Luxury Item here and that needs to be changed. What I am tryna say is, a middle class must have access to mid range vehicles.Tuk tuk Mafia are making the real benefit out of this.
8 9
Kapila Saturday, 05 October 2024 08:55 AM
Don’t worry bro these are dreams for the masses.
7 13
John Saturday, 05 October 2024 09:09 AM
Sri Lanka really need new vehicles and there are lot of complaints of break down and lack of spare parts availability, its unsustainable solution to do this if this keeps prolonging the ban. many of commercial businesses are occurring unbearable losses due to their company vehicle keeps breaking down; mechanics also charges at an exorbitant rate to do repair for broken engine/transmission components. Therefore, i don't agree with your comment.
12 9
John Saturday, 05 October 2024 09:11 AM
And no, Sri Lankans CANNOT easily manage with existing number of vehicles, most of their engines and transmissions require a lot of repairs if they keep driving at this condition, not a good solution for average sri lankans who cant afford at an exorbitant rated repairs.
13 13
Sanoj Deshan Sarathchandra Friday, 04 October 2024 10:25 PM
On 18 July 2022, the Australian Border Force through Customs Notice No. 2022/34 notified the removal of a 5% customs duty on the imports of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (HS 8703.60, 8703.70, 8703.80, and 8703.90). The exemption will be applicable on vehicles that have a customs value less than the fuel-efficient luxury car tax threshold.
3 0
Tissa Fernando Friday, 04 October 2024 10:49 PM
Didn't NPP say that importing medicines should be on priority not cars? We have enough cars. Why could poor people afford cars. Do not waste foreign reserves that Ranil built up over 2 years.
8 35
M Fernando Saturday, 05 October 2024 07:50 PM
Don't forget, these were reserves that overseas NPP supporters helped to build up. If RW is to be believed, they actually held up the inflow of forex into the country at one time.
8 0
Sam Silva Friday, 04 October 2024 10:53 PM
Didn't the elected government announced they will stop importing vehicles???
2 24
NAME OF THE GAME!! LEARN BY PAST MISTAKES OR VEHICLES WILL CHANGE HANDS, LIKE LIQUOR LICENCES DID Friday, 04 October 2024 11:00 PM
IMPORTING VEHICLES FOR WHICH CLASS OF PEOPLE?. WE HAVE TOO MANY VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AND MORE PARKED IN GARAGES AND OR PREMISES OF THE RICH!!. ALL BUSINESSES BY NOW HAVE THE VEHICLES THEY REQUIRE. HOTELS, COMPANIES HIRING VEHICLES AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES ETC ARE ALREADY FREELY AVAILABLE. SOME PUBLIC TRANSPORT BUSES AND COACHES WOULD BE WELCOME. GET RID/SELL OFF THE OLD VEHICLES RETURNED BY POLITICIANS AND PUBLIC SERVANTS OR WHOEVER ELSE HANDS THEM IN AND GET ONE OR TWO STANDARD TYPE VEHICLES FOR POLITICANS AND PUBLIC SERVICE. ALL THOSE APPLYING FOR PERMITS NEED TO DECLARE HOW MANY VEHICLES THEY ALREADY OWN AND IF THEY SUBSEQUENTLY SELL OFF THE VEHICLES WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME THEY SHOULD FACE A HEAVY FINE, AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST PRICY VEHICLES IMPORTED AND RESOLD/VEHICLES HANDED OVER BEFORE FULL AMOUNT IS PAID BY THE BUYER.
5 16
Dee Friday, 04 October 2024 11:23 PM
Hooray! Waiting for the USD to increase
6 17
Nalin Gooneratne Saturday, 05 October 2024 02:27 AM
The government should import more trains and allow people to import buses. There are too many cars on the road. Import of cars should be allowed only for people who are doing work to earn foreign exchange such as tourism when necessary.
5 21
M Fernando Saturday, 05 October 2024 07:46 PM
It doesn't matter who buys or imports cars or vehicles. This duty free scam should be made redundant. Have a reasonable duty scheme, no one (absolutely no one) gets duty free permits and well, if you have the money to buy a vehicle, go ahead and buy.
0 3
FredSnR Saturday, 05 October 2024 02:32 AM
Repair existing roads, get good buses, even luxury buses, improve behaviour of traffic on the roads( can fine install cameras) in short do the basics before bothering about car imports
1 22
wickrama Wijayasiri Saturday, 05 October 2024 03:06 AM
What we need is support for the public transport, but not more cars. Even subsidies. CTB was working very well until it became the political supporters. More and frequent buses and trains. This is the direction in which the affluent countries are moving. In most Western countries the insurance rates are so high people opt for public transportation or rental vehicles for long distance travel. It would be a double whammy for us in SL as more cars mean more fuel or expensive batteries.
0 22
Hemanth Saturday, 05 October 2024 04:34 AM
True or false, I thought by importing cars again they’re recreating the havoc. If they do, they ought to charge tax from the sellers, buyers and the users of those cars and not the poor people who are still suffering as a result of mismanagement of finances. Sri Lanka is not out of danger yet, so what’s all this talk about importing cars! Instead, improve the public transport and make life easier for those who cannot afford even the daily meal.
0 15
Ajith I Saturday, 05 October 2024 05:06 AM
We should develop public transport by introducing low floor air conditioned buses instead of present low quality "Lorry buses' . This will reduce demand for private vehicles and benefit the whole society
1 19
Gradually Open With Strict Conditions Saturday, 05 October 2024 05:28 AM
It’s time to gradually open up the market! Have a monthly quota of around 30 thousand various vehicles which must be hybrid or electric. Need to replace vehicles which are fuel inefficient and not economical to operate. Lay some strict conditions and only those having sufficient funds to purchase them.
7 2
kumar Saturday, 05 October 2024 06:52 AM
Not a wise decision. The government should consider common citizens rather than vehicle importers. I do not believe that this country is lacking in vehicles. The import prohibition on automobiles need to be maintained until the economy has fully recovered.
5 23
Long Time More For Economic Stability Saturday, 05 October 2024 06:23 PM
Economy full recovery won’t be insight for sometime more. Maybe 15 to 25 years time, some form of economic stability might be possible if the government of the day stays corrupt free and controls the expenses accordingly. Therefore, will still need to import some amount of vehicles monthly to replace older and fuel inefficient vehicles.
1 2
Sambo Saturday, 05 October 2024 08:11 AM
We have enough vehicles on the roads as it is and why should be be imported. Tell the importers to find the dollars to import vehicles and do not spend the dollars within the Central Bank. The public are in no hunger for vehicles.
4 19
Perera Saturday, 05 October 2024 08:20 AM
Don't worry. Previous RW government has left over more than $5 billion in the reserve for NPP to enjoy.
5 15
M Fernando Saturday, 05 October 2024 07:43 PM
I thought that was money contributed by the overseas NPP diaspora who RW accused of withholding forex funds ?
12 0
Be Fair Saturday, 05 October 2024 08:24 AM
So the VIAL now admits that "Car Sales" are cheats, which has been the case. That's the reason only Authorised Manufacturers Agents should be allowed to import.
1 11
Kanchana Mudalige Saturday, 05 October 2024 08:37 AM
We need to advance in the world by building the right infrastructure.
0 12
Mohan Saturday, 05 October 2024 09:15 AM
I think it is too early.
1 13
David K Saturday, 05 October 2024 09:47 AM
Those who have farms need vehicles to transport goods and market our produces. At least get us transport vehicles for cost
2 5
C Fernando Saturday, 05 October 2024 10:09 AM
The key point here is "after January". That's a nice little carrot to dangle in front of the vehicle importers' noses so that NPP gets their votes at the general election. After that, it will be a different story.
4 13
M Fernando Saturday, 05 October 2024 12:05 PM
RW promised the same. He had a basket of carrots also.
13 9
Dee Saturday, 05 October 2024 12:21 PM
These importers including authorized agents keep big margins, spare part importers keep 100-200% margins. Those who personally import, paying all legitimate taxes knows the real price. That’s the reason owning a vehicle is so expensive in SL
1 12
Judge Saturday, 05 October 2024 01:39 PM
Why do SL people get obsessed with cars? Where are they going to drive them? SL already has clogged and heavily polluted roads. Improve public transport instead. Look at how developed countries are doing it. No one drives cars to work in those countries. SRI Lankans like to show off by driving a car and then struggling to pay its lease payments. First chage that mind set.
2 18
Muvindu Saturday, 05 October 2024 01:40 PM
I hope this NPP government won't act like those previous absurd governments. Instead of importing private vehicles public transportation should be developed.
2 12
melville perera Saturday, 05 October 2024 03:39 PM
If allowed this is an absolute waste of foreign exchange considering the large number of supposedly brand new vehicles and unserviced lying in the port thoroughly weather-beaten for several years reducing the exporters sticker price by a margin 25% making the vehicles valueless. Importers should first get rid of the backlog paid for upfront and pay up all arrears if any and auction these vehicles to recover their losses or else Customs should step in and auction the vehicles claiming demurrage and parking charges inclusive of security service As it is our roads cannot cope with a further surge of vehicles
0 6
bun Saturday, 05 October 2024 05:01 PM
There are no buses to Colombo from Minuwangoda after 8.15pm. People are stranded as Minuwangoda is a large city near the Airport need to address these issues before importing vehicles.
0 8
wickrama Wijayasiri Saturday, 05 October 2024 07:24 PM
Auto dealerships is not an industry worth protecting. They should find other ventures. Let it die if that is the case. Not that many people employed in it worth worrying about. They are a drain on our public finances. There were a few auto dealerships in SL who happen to be the local agents for many makes of vehicles. They will survive as they service the vehicles too.
0 2
melbournian Sunday, 06 October 2024 07:13 AM
why we need more vehicles in the roads, whenever I go to SL I spend more time on the road burning fuel than travelling alone. SL must put rules in like In Singapore, to manage the number of vehicles imported to the island, it is a small country with poor people, and it is best to develop a quality public transport system around the land as It is small island.
0 2
Promises Broken Sunday, 06 October 2024 10:25 AM
AKD said he is stopping "unnecessary imports". So are vehicles necessary right now? Do they know the cost of a vehicle has increased by over 50% since covid? And fuel prices are on the rise due to Middle East conflict? Already the new govt has mixed priorities and vehicle imports will eat up the foreign currency reserves in no time at all.
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