Govt. approves resumption of vehicle imports from February after 5-year ban

1 December 2024 10:13 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 22 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, December 1 (Daily Mirror) - The government has given the green light to resume vehicle imports, starting February next year, following a five-year suspension, President of the Vehicle Importers’ Association of Lanka (VIAL), Indika Sampath Merinchige said.

Addressing the media, he said that the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has agreed to allocate the necessary funds and the IMF has also permitted vehicle imports.

"Therefore, better management is needed for the limited funds allocated and vehicles must be imported to meet the needs of the ordinary people, ensuring that they can purchase vehicles at fair prices," he said.

"For this purpose, the VIAL is planning to hold discussions with the Deputy Ministers attached to the Finance Ministry. While the Deputy Ministers may have busy schedules, they should prioritise the import of vehicles while considering it an essential duty. The country's funds were mismanaged by previous governments due to the lack of consultation with experienced vehicle importers,” Merinchige added.

He also said that there are about 600 vehicle importers in the country and that vehicle imports should benefit both, the importers and the public.

"Importing vehicles will help stabilise prices and support the implementation of a policy to maintain the existing used vehicle market in the country," Merinchige said.

Comments - 22

npp man Sunday, 01 December 2024 10:36 PM

" /.. the lack of consultation with experienced vehicle importers,” This is another myth. Actually these importers only ruines the funds by importing and filling the car sales with vehicles enough for the next 5 years. best things to allow only personal vehicle import first. Then public can benefit and get a better price avoiding the 5 - 10 lakhs margin kept by those experienced vehicle importers.

1 21

Wrong Decision Monday, 02 December 2024 12:11 AM

Rupee is going to plunge again, this time to 500LKR/USD.

14 14

Invisible female watching the world go by Monday, 02 December 2024 12:38 AM

From bad air quality... to yeah let's import more cars to satisfy the car dealers that make millions. Cars are so expensive that only the rich or the upper class can really buy one immediately. The current cars on the road first need to sort out their emission testing and stop the contribution to bad air quality. This government seem to be allowing a whole lot just to please everyone and anyone. I support them but I still remain critical as it's the only way for a fair view point. If we love out country, we need to stop dividing our mindsets to which party is worse. They all did us wrong in some way. Let them all be aware that we want a better life. We want to live. We don't want to be a country still struggling for the basics since every government seems to always leave us behind and we still continue to support them hoping that they will change. So yes let's import more cars. More cars that I could never afford.

2 12

A Supporter of AKW Monday, 02 December 2024 01:52 AM

Despite his campaign rhetoric, AKD is slowly but surely changing his name to Anura Kumara Wickremasinghe.

12 21

Dee Monday, 02 December 2024 11:25 AM

D.M. Anura Kumara Rajapakse Wickremasinghe to be exact!

1 8

Jan Monday, 02 December 2024 04:58 AM

Excellent news. Need to manage this well and avoid abuse. People deserve the right to buy a vehicle at a reasonable price. Current used car prices cannot be justified.

6 10

Niz Monday, 02 December 2024 01:47 PM

You said it Jan, Current prices of vehicles already on the roads have to be adjusted immediately before proceeding to import if not only those who have vehicles will benefit, Prices must return to the values it was in 2019. These vehicles have been used and with wear and tear have depreciated in value.

5 2

Rip Winkle Monday, 02 December 2024 05:43 AM

A stupid move as we aren't out of the woods yet. A veritable hole in the pocket.

2 18

Implement A Monthly Quota Monday, 02 December 2024 06:16 AM

Suggest a monthly quota system for each category- buses and ambulances, electric

1 9

Proper and Logical Management Required Monday, 02 December 2024 09:38 AM

Yes, both electric and hybrid in another category, motorcycles and scooters in a category on its own etc. This will ensure accountability and should the reserves falls beyond an acceptable level, imports can stop immediately. It’s paramount there is always sufficient funds available in the CB for allocation for fuel, gas, basic food and medical supplies purchases.

1 11

Rangana Bandara Friday, 06 December 2024 09:11 AM

I dont think motorbikes and scooters need to be imported. They are already assembled in Sri Lanka with a local value addition. And there are enough vehicles on the road. More than enough motorbikes mostly driving unsafely disrupting the traffic flow. Try driving out of colombo on a weekday around 5.30. No private vehicles should be allowed. Only Public transportation vehicles, good quality busses, not "takaran" bus.

0 0

Priyan66 Monday, 02 December 2024 06:41 AM

Pls import proper buses, not "Lorry buses" which are not suitable for passenger transport as they are Aluminium body fixed onto lorry chasis

1 24

Ara Monday, 02 December 2024 07:41 AM

Ifc. Lanuwa kaawa

0 8

Mohamed Adham Monday, 02 December 2024 10:21 AM

This is a disastrous move. Will allow a lot of precious Foreign exchange to be utilized for this purpose. We have enough and more vehicles in the country now.

1 5

Jude Monday, 02 December 2024 10:29 AM

This is a huge blunder by New NPP government. They're GONNA deplete the forex reserves. Don't care what IMF says. IMF is there to support countries with BOP issues. This move will allow IMF to dictate the fiscal policy of NPP. Cars are absolutely not necessasitities they're luxury items, only the Rich and super Rich can afford to buy them. The 80% of poor people not benefiting from car imports. Who ever authorized to lift the car imports ban made a huge mistake. Only thing car imports gonna do is lose the hard-earned forex. Period.

1 9

Jude Monday, 02 December 2024 10:30 AM

This is the bigging of NPP government's dumb moves.

1 4

Jude Monday, 02 December 2024 10:32 AM

Don't lift the ban for at least another 2 years.

1 7

Jude Monday, 02 December 2024 10:37 AM

There's a good chance that VIAL has bribed the finance ministry OFFICIALS, YEAH. No one is immune to accepting bribes.

1 6

Be Fair Monday, 02 December 2024 11:20 AM

This will be a very bad move. Only recently a very experienced importer got down Electric Cars on the Permit, and they made millions, not passing the benefit to the customer, country lost lot of revenue too. So VIASL you should take a hike.

0 5

Perera Monday, 02 December 2024 11:44 AM

Eagerly waiting to get my Tesla Model S

0 4

NS Monday, 02 December 2024 01:45 PM

Heading towards another Aragalaya?

1 5

Abu Bu Tuesday, 03 December 2024 08:46 PM

First, give National Identity Card to Advanced Level candidates, many of them proceeding with a printout, which is valid for all matters as per the authorities. Look at the Driving Licence, no SIM card, it is between plastic and paper. Whole world is issuing Biometric passports except some undeveloped countries including Sri Lanka, issue them without any limitation on demand by a citizen. You do not have money for this but you have money for luxury items such ad as car.

0 2

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