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Vehicle price hike to avoid unwanted buyers: John

30 May 2016 05:35 pm - 35     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Tourism Minister John Amaratunga today said the Government was compelled to increase vehicle prices because it would reduce the number of vehicles on the roads and also avoid unnecessary people purchasing vehicles.

Speaking to reporters after an event in Galewela, Wahakotte, the Minster said three-wheeler prices were increased in the wake of the fast-increasing number of such vehicles and on the request by some three-wheeler associations.

“While it appears that there is an increase in the price of luxury vehicles, I think it is alright if the affluent people can afford it. Let them buy if they can afford. There is no notable increase in the prices of ordinary cars. I don't see anything wrong in increasing vehicle prices. There are more cars now in the country and it is difficult to travel in vehicles in Colombo or Kurunegala because of the traffic. Cars are being purchased by everyone today irrespective of their job positions or social needs. The number of three-wheelers have also increased manifold creating a loss of income to the users. Many three wheeler operators complain that they have no hires. We cannot restrict imports and therefore we had to tactfully increase the prices so that there would be a lesser demand,” he said.

"Cars should be used by high income groups but now owning a car has become a fashion or a trend with the owners mixing up their priorities, " he said adding that he was unable to make a ruling on who should or should not purchase cars and that until the gazette was issued he was not in a position to say anything about the car prices. (K. K. Ariyadasa)


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  Comments - 35

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  • romesh Tuesday, 31 May 2016 11:27 AM

    CAN WE INTRODUCE MARINAs SO WE COULD LOOK AT SEA TRANSPORTATION?

    Kumar Tuesday, 31 May 2016 10:43 AM

    Brilliant idea. What ingenuity. What a genius.

    Yohan Tuesday, 31 May 2016 10:43 AM

    Take for example western Australia most people own cars still if they want to go to the city they will park the car in a place and take bus or train train is better and faster in Perth so to avoid traffic they use public transport and public transport is good and clean...we should improve this area not tax like this..it's a shame on all parliamentarians you get cars petrol and we have to pay tax..don't be jelous of a man owning a car .e.g. me pushbike_ motorcycle_now van so you want to stop my next stage with huge tax..

    galleguy Tuesday, 31 May 2016 10:44 AM

    A pride to Wattala voters. A shame to the rest.

    Balan Tuesday, 31 May 2016 10:47 AM

    Its no wonder that we are suffering as a country when our parliament is full of such geniuses.

    K.S Tuesday, 31 May 2016 10:59 AM

    "avoid unnecessary people purchasing vehicles", "now owning a car has become a fashion" See the quality of the statements of a Sri Lankan Minister, shame to the nation.

    Ravi Tuesday, 31 May 2016 11:20 AM

    One of the results due to a civilization exceeding 2500 years - more to follow!

    romesh Tuesday, 31 May 2016 11:25 AM

    SO RECENTLY THE GOVT ISSUED PERMITS TO GOVT SERVANTS... DOES THAT MEAN ONLY THE GOVT CAN OWN THE ROADS AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN AND DRIVE A VEHICLE IN SRI LANKA??

    defender Tuesday, 31 May 2016 11:25 AM

    Great move.!

    jay Tuesday, 31 May 2016 10:27 AM

    Yeah! They are allowed to import 8 Cylinder SUVs that swallow up our roads.Most MPs wont have enough intelligence to even comprehed driving these vehicles.

    Premalal Tuesday, 31 May 2016 11:39 AM

    Can you please tell us if there are "unwanted " buyers in this country? You may want their vote at the next election.

    seqi Tuesday, 31 May 2016 12:44 PM

    The quality of Sri Lankan politico....unnecessary people....this is the one who said...people should go to bed earlier to save electricity.....what dimwit via DM Android App

    seqi Tuesday, 31 May 2016 01:10 PM

    sanji.....unnecessary people doing exercise via DM Android App

    Keerthi Tuesday, 31 May 2016 01:30 PM

    Stupid statement, government should implement some other ways to decrease the traffic jam, road discipline maintain good public transportation etc.

    indika Tuesday, 31 May 2016 01:58 PM

    you people also include for 'unwanted ' people. by vehicle for you own money without asking subsidy.

    lansur Tuesday, 31 May 2016 02:19 PM

    What is this man talking about?????

    Udaya Tuesday, 31 May 2016 02:33 PM

    Stop the duty free first and less cars will be on road. This is to sell the car permits for higher price.Udaya

    Dr doo Tuesday, 31 May 2016 04:46 PM

    no need of comedy movies in srilanka. the greatest jokers are in the parliament.let the whole world smile at us for sending these genius to make dession for us. via DM Android App

    Manji Tuesday, 31 May 2016 04:47 AM

    More cars on the roads? build better roads, Improve public transport. With this tax roads in SL will end up with old takaran cars that arent road worthy!! MAYBE THIS IS WHY HE DESTROYED THE WALKWAY IN WATTALA... STOP UNWANTED EXERCISE BY PEOPLE????

    it's me Monday, 30 May 2016 07:19 PM

    good move. I agree via DM Android App

    Sharon Monday, 30 May 2016 07:25 PM

    Some more BS via DM iOS App

    Anton Monday, 30 May 2016 07:27 PM

    Hon. Minister should only make statements regarding his respective ministry. This statement makes me question his sanity. What an insult to/on the commoners intelligence.

    Sam Monday, 30 May 2016 07:32 PM

    Try using public transportation to go to parliament to further reduce the congestion on the roads. At least then you will understand its important first to take solid steps to improve public transportation where we can travel like human beings. We are not asking for cars.

    sss Monday, 30 May 2016 07:36 PM

    wow. we have a genius here. why no one saw this since 2000

    Sincere Monday, 30 May 2016 07:52 PM

    I wonder whether there is country in the world, other than Sri Lanka which has resorted to reducing cars on roads by price hikes and a Cabinet minister is declaring such stupid statement. Developed countries ban older models of vehicles from time to time to ensure trouble free vehicular movement on their public roads. This Minister must go on history for his brilliant statement. The solution for excessive vehicles on the road is due to undeveloped road net work.

    nihal Monday, 30 May 2016 07:55 PM

    as low as 1400 Rs for duty free luxury vehicle permits available for most of the politicians who do nothing to the country as advice at the same time for the general public to pay more taxes. what a joke

    Yapa Tuesday, 31 May 2016 04:33 AM

    A real joker, the end of tourism

    Prakash Monday, 30 May 2016 07:07 PM

    So does duty free permits, you back up cars etc.

    dja Tuesday, 31 May 2016 05:00 AM

    What a silly statement... This shows the intelligence of our ministers with such a childlike approach... Everyone is entitled to purchase what they like as long as they are in a situation to do so...other countries have an excellent public transport system.. Why not develop this area instead of having buses which have clearly seen better days... Why not implement a compulsory car pool during office hours.. Other countries implement a fine if only the driver is in the car... So many ideas and they resort to this..

    Nalin Tuesday, 31 May 2016 06:01 AM

    It will be interesting to know the percentage of cars owned by the government, semi government organisations, the forces and private cars indicating the private cars bought with duty concessions

    Raja Seneviratne Tuesday, 31 May 2016 06:12 AM

    What a bright idea! Instead of increasing prices, just Gazette qualifications for those who want to buy vehicles, like for those entering Parliament.

    Kadupol Jothywansa Tuesday, 31 May 2016 09:58 AM

    Those who buy vehicles do they have four hands and four legs. Your stupid statement makes people to get in to the streets and hand-over a motion to the President to sack you

    Vijith Pieterz Tuesday, 31 May 2016 09:59 AM

    It is our fault to send you to the Parliament, you should have been sent to gallows.

    Nadraj Tuesday, 31 May 2016 10:20 AM

    Very poor statement. Learn from developed countries ? People use public transport keeping cars at home for special use ! Owning a car is our business. Minister cannot decide who must use and who must not use. let him justify the fleet that he or his supporters use. Improve public transport sir. Indues public to use that.

    jay Tuesday, 31 May 2016 10:23 AM

    Good if only luxury cars above 1500cc and all SUV types were increased, but ordinary mans Alto has also risen. But,then why are MPs given permits to import obscenely large eight Cylinder SUVs . Do they need such wasteful behemoths that too large for our roads , to report to parliament. What a joke.


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