Import tax increased to control numbers

1 June 2016 06:29 am - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said, at a media briefing yesterday, that there were one million three wheelers registered in the country. He said the import tax on them was increased in order to control their numbers.

With the young people, on completing of their studies, wanting to earn money by operating three wheeler taxis, there seemed to be a dearth of young people for developmental activities in the country.

Last year alone there had been 90,000 vehicles, including three wheelers, brought into the country.

Though the tax had been increased earlier, vehicle imports had increased by 55%, he said.

The importation of vehicles should be governed by a national policy and, until the road system is improved, the importation should be discouraged, he said. (Jayantha Samarakoon)

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Comments - 7

Belated Wednesday, 01 June 2016 12:14 PM

By reducing tax on below 1000cc category the road will be clogged further as these cars are very slow to pick up speed. A few 800cc Marutis in front of you will double your travel time.

ET Wednesday, 01 June 2016 12:16 PM

Increase was mainly on below 1000 cc cars. You have reduced their prices further. Now is that will result in a further flood of small three wheeler like cars.

Rehan Wednesday, 01 June 2016 12:27 PM

Hon Minister, totally agree on discouraging of car imports until the road network/system is developed. And it is the Government that should set the example. Stop issuing Duty Free Vehicle permits and stop unnecessary vehicle imports for Government Departments.

AZ Wednesday, 01 June 2016 12:28 PM

There is some sense to this. We have too many vehicle on the roads

abaya Wednesday, 01 June 2016 12:48 PM

1. Hope the additional tax will be used to build new roads. 2. It's not a hard game to make/ assemble cars, no support for local industries. cancel the permits, use locally build cars; see your friend Indian PM, he doesn't have BMW etc, but Indian cars.

Henry Thursday, 02 June 2016 07:42 AM

Billy Goats! - Why can't we improve SLTB services along with railway with additional buses and trains so that the commuters would use their own transport system up to the closest bust halt or to the Railway Station as seen on counties like Australia? Looks our Planners are catering to the Private Bus Owners and not to the commuters!

DillonDP Thursday, 02 June 2016 08:16 AM

Though Tax was increased the common people didnt buy the vehicles it was the government workers were given the option.you with this information took undue advance, you should be impeached and your not fit to be the finance minister..

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Import tax increased to control numbers

Comments - 7

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