Vehicle prices will come down-Minister

24 April 2012 01:53 am - 51 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The unloading of vehicles at the Hambantota port, which would begin next month, would significantly reduce the prices of motor vehicles, Deputy Minister of Ports and Highways Rohitha Abeygunawardena said.

The Minister said that as the international maritime route passed only 6km away from where the Hambantota port was located it take three hours for shipments to reach it whereas shipments would over nine hours to get to the Colombo port to be unloaded there. Due to this sea freight charges would be cut by 60% or more which would in turn bring down motor vehicle prices. However, due to taxes that are imposed by the government prices could fluctuate, he said.

However motor vehicle agents had warned that the prices of vehicles could actually go up by as much as Rs.25, 000 as they would be transported using car carriers which cannot carry more than six vehicles at a time. They said the additional transport cost would invariably increase the price of motor vehicles. (Olindhi Jayasundere)

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Comments - 51

Savvy Tuesday, 24 April 2012 10:47 AM

@Perera: the tax hike was applicable for vehicles in port as well in case you forgot. She had to pay 1 million extra, which was not planned for. Read properly before mouthing off!

Sampath Sathyapriya Tuesday, 24 April 2012 07:17 AM

yes....probably....Hambantota is closer to New York, Paris & Tokyo.

Mushtaq Tuesday, 24 April 2012 07:27 AM

100 % - 60 % = 160% , thats the formula ministers use !!

Paul Tuesday, 24 April 2012 07:51 AM

So if there is a "60% saving" BEFORE Customs Dues of 350% that means that shipping costs (to the end user) will be cut by 210% ???
Or (like the Rs 7,500 to feed a family) is this possibly Minister Mathematics? The same maths that dictates that SL needs the biggest Cabinet in the World.
Wake up guys, the politicians are taking you for a ride (plus 350%!)
In exactly the same way the new airport will be pressed into use by the closing of the current one for 'extensive alterations'.
There are statistics, lies and Ministers Maths.

DEEN Tuesday, 24 April 2012 08:39 AM

DEAR HON.MINISTER,
SUPERB CALCULATION.
HOW ABOUT GIVING ME MATHS TUITION?
I CAN PASS WITH FLYING COLOURS.

Sampath Chandrakumar Tuesday, 24 April 2012 08:48 AM

See children how he teaches us very difficult and complicated economic mathamatics in the simplest way.....great lecturer and wonderful analyst....

Suba anagathayak..... Sri Lanka

shace-UK Tuesday, 24 April 2012 09:18 AM

idiot...if I ship a car from UK to colombo it cost me £600 if I ship to hambantota i will save 60% which is £360 thats 72000 Rupees according to you, petrol cost to drive to colombo is about 5000 rupees. so i am saving 67000 rupees on one car but need to pay extra 33% vaule on tax....only god can save SL when idiots rule this country!!!! Minister did you pass your O/L maths???

Saradial Tuesday, 24 April 2012 09:48 AM

Another formula like Bandula's one

Saradial Tuesday, 24 April 2012 09:54 AM

She should have planed for previous tax, since tax increased suddenly she has to pay extra. this happened to may.

GANESH-G Tuesday, 24 April 2012 10:08 AM

what about GOLD price????...

pol haraka Tuesday, 24 April 2012 10:30 AM

pol haraka

AZAAN Tuesday, 24 April 2012 10:17 AM

how do they (ministers) come up with all these figures,,,

im sure it has to be while their sleeping..

jim Tuesday, 24 April 2012 10:43 AM

moda harak ministewr la Vunama oya de wenawa

Mifaz Tuesday, 24 April 2012 07:27 AM

What a rubbish statement by this uneducated minister.

John Tuesday, 24 April 2012 01:22 PM

What happened to that publicised TV debate?

holynoughty Tuesday, 24 April 2012 01:29 PM

what other than foolish statements that one can expect from a beach tout

Zarudeen Tuesday, 24 April 2012 01:50 PM

Our ministers are good in mathematics: 3km makes 60% cost reduction of vehicle according to one minister.US Geneva vote was won by only 1 vote according to other minister. Living cost is less than 2500 per person according to another minister.

tissa Tuesday, 24 April 2012 01:46 PM

these ministers dont even know if the prices will go up or down...how can they rule a country...

Izmy Tuesday, 24 April 2012 04:03 PM

Ministers in this govt have gone nuts.Why not get their brains tested.

PERERA Tuesday, 24 April 2012 04:54 PM

first we had moda wansa then pissu silva now pissu abey

faqi Tuesday, 24 April 2012 06:14 PM

"The unloading of vehicles at the Hambantota port, which would begin next month, would significantly reduce the prices of motor vehicles,"
How could that be? Most likely the prices will go up, having to transport the vehicles to Colombo & other towns. Sea freight will not make that much of a difference whether cars are unloaded in Colombo, Trincomalee or Hambantota ports.

Captain Haddock ! Wednesday, 25 April 2012 03:30 AM

I bet those in the shipping industry know better....we are beginning to hear lots of silly statements.

feed Wednesday, 25 April 2012 05:05 AM

poor fellow. He is not getting enough money to buy beef! Allow him to get a better ministr to buy one cattle wholesale to feed his family

Bala Wednesday, 25 April 2012 06:53 AM

One word describes this minister. That sinhala word is ' GONA'.

mps Wednesday, 25 April 2012 06:21 AM

Vehicle importers can quote Ex-Hambantota price to the customers. Let the customer come to Hambantota and drive the car to any part of the country where they live. Why should all cars need to be brought to Colombo by the dealer?. As if everyone buying a car lives in Colombo?...

Christo Wednesday, 25 April 2012 06:52 AM

This bugger is in the caliber of Nishantha Muthuhettigama, Mervyn Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya. Don't take Mr. Raththaran Seriously.

Tharu Tuesday, 24 April 2012 04:50 AM

Deputy Minister, O/L student can do this kind of calculation within 2 minutes. Freight charges are nothing compared to recent hike of taxes. This is wonder of Asia. You can see more in future. All people votes for these people to see the wonder of Asia show.

banda Tuesday, 24 April 2012 02:28 AM

What "chargers"? For Electric Vehicles??

DN Tuesday, 24 April 2012 02:32 AM

Are you telling that only for 6 hour different would cut down the freight charges by 60 %. Do you think we are not idiots to believe you.. ?
This is the knowledge of our policy planers. I am very sorry for my country.

kolla Tuesday, 24 April 2012 02:51 AM

These all are misleading information to hide the truth and rip off public. Freight charges are nothing compared to recent hike of taxes. One of my friend had to pay extra Rs. 1 million to clear her vehicle due to excess taxes and she is running pawning and selling her goods to get the money. It's "Miracle of Asia" to her as this is the first time she is pawning her jewelerys.

rashmi Tuesday, 24 April 2012 02:55 AM

He would have learned the calculation from Minister Bandula Gunawardana.

Bigfoot Tuesday, 24 April 2012 03:25 AM

Another economical miracle?

PODI LAMAYA Tuesday, 24 April 2012 03:33 AM

According to you and your guys this is another superb decision v took.... BUT WHEN IT COMES TO REALITY ????????????? THAT'S Y V NEED PROFESSIONALS LEAD OUR COUNTRY ....... all political leaders MUST keep in mind this if you need to minimize corruption , make decisions in interest of our MAWBIMA

Shai Tuesday, 24 April 2012 03:34 AM

Are you fellows going to reduce tax to boom the tourisom...

Dee Tuesday, 24 April 2012 03:46 AM

Brilliant mathematics SIr. Brilliant.

Kangaroo 2 Tuesday, 24 April 2012 03:50 AM

Sorry We are not fools

Manu Tuesday, 24 April 2012 04:26 AM

yes...price will reduce..because pepole dont have money to buy a vechile... no demand...so price will be reduced...

perera Tuesday, 24 April 2012 04:46 AM

why pawn when tou cant afford a vehicle

Jagath Tuesday, 24 April 2012 04:27 AM

Government introduced new tax schema for vehicles in order to reduce vehicle imports. Few major reasons that Government rose for which has influenced the decision are High deficit of Balance of Payment, Heavy traffic on the road est. As per MP Abeygunawardana, if vehicle prices go down people will buy more vehicles. So will it satisfy Government intention? This is a very simple logic. They try to rip off people.

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 24 April 2012 02:37 AM

Pure miscalculations to mislead the public. Whatever insignificant "savings" in shipping costs, if any, would be totally negated with the additional cost of transporting vehicles from Hambanthota to Colombo which will have to be borne by the customers.

Bigfoot Tuesday, 24 April 2012 05:06 AM

Why can not people think!

Anil Tuesday, 24 April 2012 05:06 AM

The freight component is insignificant when you compare it with FOB of car and taxes. He thinks a saving of 6 hrs on nine will reduce freight by 60 %. What about the time from Japan to h'tota. After all a former beach boy cannot be expected to know this.

Nodrog Tuesday, 24 April 2012 05:15 AM

Next he will say airfares will be cheaper if planes land in Hambantota.

John Tuesday, 24 April 2012 05:16 AM

This is typical SL economics.

samosa Tuesday, 24 April 2012 05:21 AM

Because our ministers are dreaming... 60% is calculated according to political formula...

avinah Tuesday, 24 April 2012 05:21 AM

How about the price of Gold ? Will it come down as well ?

Sampa Chandrakumar Tuesday, 24 April 2012 05:36 AM

Great calculation....We need this kind of people to run a country...Superb Sir....Keep it up

lankanfellow Tuesday, 24 April 2012 05:38 AM

Excellent analysis Anil... Hello minister.. welcome to the Wimal, Mervyn, Bandula club...

jrah Tuesday, 24 April 2012 05:50 AM

only he knows how to natch the chain on the train.... first go to school

Minister Tuesday, 24 April 2012 06:09 AM

A real "raththaran" news sir!

Sampath Sathyapriya Tuesday, 24 April 2012 07:12 AM

jrah,

explain me further ...interesting

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Vehicle prices will come down-Minister

Comments - 51

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