Govt. relaxes import controls for third time

The government yesterday announced further relaxation of imports restrictions, which were introduced in August to preserve foreign exchange. 
A special gazette was issued yesterday revoking import restrictions on 10 items related to tourism and security industries and sports. 
The items include energy drinks, CCTV cameras, MDF boards and tennis balls and badminton rackets. 
This was the third occasion where the government relaxed import restrictions which were slapped in August. 

On August 23, the government slapped import restrictions on 1, 465 items in a bid to save foreign exchange.
However, on September 9, 708 items were removed from the banned list based on studies carried out by the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank. 

Lobbying by various industry groups, business chambers and Board of Investment, was also a major reason for the relaxation. 
Then, on November 23, further 77 items were removed from the banned list. 
State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said Sri Lanka was able to save US$ 1.2 billion in the three-month period where these restrictions were in place.