• Policy of imposing a 100 percent cash deposit for these imports had affected school children
• Small and medium scale importers are affected as they usually  import goods by opening letters of credit without a margin

By Yohan Perera   

The 100 percent cash deposit for importation of items such as computers and mobile phones should be reversed as they are essential for school Children, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.  

Mr. Wijewardene who was speaking at a zoom meeting of UNP activists in line with the party’s 75th anniversary yesterday said, the government should seriously think of reversing its policy of imposing a 100 percent cash deposit for these imports as it had affected the school children . “Parents who cannot afford to purchase a desktop computer go for the purchase of a smart mobile phone for their children so that they can engage in online education. Therefore the government should re-think about this regulation,” Mr. Wijewardene said.  
 “The new regulation is not favourable in general terms as small and medium scale importers are affected by it. Small and medium scale importers are affected by this as they usually import goods by opening letters of credit without a margin, since they do not have sufficient resources. Only large scale importers are able to keep deposits as they have resources in abundance,” he added.  

Mr. Wijewardene who referred to the appointment of the new Central Bank Governor alleged that this change has been made to run the government to put patch work to the economy rather than taking effective decisions. 

• Mr. Wijewardene alleged that the appointment of the new Central Bank Governor has been made to run the government to put patch work to the  economy