• Decision follows a significant improvement in foreign reserves 

The government will lift all restrictions on vehicle imports in February, next year, Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry said.   

In a post on X, the minister said the Cabinet decided to lift the ban on vehicle imports with the significant improvement of foreign reserves and the strength of the rupee.   

“The decision is part of our ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the economy and meet the needs of people,” he said.   

Sri Lanka imposed a ban on vehicle imports due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021 and 2022 and continued with the decision due to a subsequent economic crisis faced by the country.  

The Sri Lankan government restricted the import of 1,465 items in August 2022 due to the economic crisis but lifted restrictions on most of those items on several separate occasions.