Vehicles stuck at H’tota port to be released at old tax rate

The Finance Ministry yesterday announced a relief scheme to release the vehicles stuck at the Hambantota port, imported during January 2015 to November 2017, due to sudden hike in taxes.

The vehicles will be released at the tax rate at the time of opening of the letters of credit. The relief however, will only apply to vehicles imported for personal use.

The Finance Ministry said further information in this regard can be obtained from the Gazette Notifications No.2117/48 dated April 4, 2019 and last amended by Gazette No.2135/55 dated August 8, 2019 under the Excise (Special Provisions) of Act. No.13 of 1989.

Affected persons can apply for the relief through Director General, Department of Fiscal Policy, General Treasury, along with the requested proof documents on or before October 31, 2019.

The Finance Ministry said under this duty concessionary scheme, it is mandatory to register the vehicles under the name of the relevant individual importers’ names within 30 days of the clearance of the vehicle.