Govt. can’t control second-hand vehicle market: Transport State Minister

24 September 2020 04:25 am - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Following the decision of temporarily suspending the importing of vehicles, the increasing prices of the second-hand vehicle market cannot be controlled by the Government, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Responding to a question raised by a journalist following an inspection tour at Autogroup International (Pvt) Ltd in Kaduwela, the State Minister said the second-hand vehicle market had unusually increased.

"With the current situation, customers should act wisely. This temporary suspension is not permanent. This has to be imposed to stabilize the cash flow to some extend," the State Minister said.

"After imposing this temporary suspension, the value of the Rupee remains at a satisfactory level. This has occurred following the COVID-19 pandemic situation. As soon as the pandemic situation is brought under control, the suspension to import vehicles would be relaxed," Minister Amunugama added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

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Comments - 15

Lion Thursday, 24 September 2020 06:58 AM

We dont need to hear this from him as every one knows about it .

Silva Thursday, 24 September 2020 06:58 AM

to suspend importing is a good because there are simply too many vehicles in the country. The roads are blocked. In other countries old vehicles are condemned and end up in the junkyard, but in Sri Lanka every vehicle is repaired and continues to be on the road. No other country is buying old vehicles here to balance this. We cannot just pour water all the time in a glass without removing some. Just to make the rich people happy by enjoying every year a new car is creating this situation.

Sambo Thursday, 24 September 2020 08:04 AM

I thank the president for banning the import of vehicles as we have plenty and more vehicles on the road today which is running a mock on the streets. This ban should carry on for about 3 to 4 years.

Byya Thursday, 24 September 2020 08:10 AM

Even after the 20A!!!

Ranaweera Thursday, 24 September 2020 08:33 AM

Buyers can control it by not buying any more vehicles for now.

BigEars Thursday, 24 September 2020 08:46 AM

We have a set of brilliant state ministers carefully handpicked. No one in the world can control the second hand car market. It is decided by wheeler dealers. An idiot.

Lord Wolfstein Thursday, 24 September 2020 08:53 AM

The central bank should stop manipulating the exchange rate on the orders of the government nearly weekly. This happens in a way that the urgent needed dollars are sold by the central bank on the world market. This is just an artificial temporary stabilization of the rupee and should not be done, so that the rupee exchange rate can fall. A weaker rupee makes Sri Lankan goods cheaper and more can be exported. Right now exports bring in more hard currency than foreign workers. China does it the other way around. There the currency is manipulated in such a way that the exchange rate drops and Chinese goods become cheaper.

Resde Aswe Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:43 AM

Just like coconut fix the price.

BE FAIR Thursday, 24 September 2020 10:09 AM

Well you should visit Kohuwela, all the prices have been jacked up beyond comprehension. The Agents maintained their prices. You should 1st have a proper policy. Please ban imports of cars from unauthorized channels and only allow from Agents. This is the way forward. if not we will be driving crap cars at fancy prices

Truth Thursday, 24 September 2020 10:22 AM

Any government can't decide anything. The businessman are the ones who decide everything. Govt said not to sell rice above the ceiling price but it's already sold above 100 rs in locak market. Government can't do anything against the businessman and the rich

sacre blieu Thursday, 24 September 2020 10:34 AM

Investigate and cut down on the fictitious purchase and granting of strange enormous , biased privileges to a few and the provision of vehicles to the transport pool and to officials that are unjustified.

Leo Thursday, 24 September 2020 10:51 AM

Let's use the opportunity to assemble vehicles here.

Jude Fernando Thursday, 24 September 2020 12:55 PM

Poor guy seems to have lost his way. Rather than wasting time by visiting private businesses and making foolish statements he should focus on macro issues such as poor policy, pathetic public transport, etc. Why doesn't he travel by commuter train during peak times to see how the public suffer?

B.L.Jayasuriya Thursday, 24 September 2020 02:02 PM

The Government must create Regulations and a Govt Agency to issue Road Worthiness Certificates

Bandula Ranasinghe Friday, 25 September 2020 08:11 AM

Vehicle import limitation is a good decision at this time since the foreign currency inflow has come down significantly due to COVID 19. I feel still there are many vehicles to be sold at the car sales. Price control measure is important. Must continue this ban since foreign currency inflow gets normalize.

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Govt. can’t control second-hand vehicle market: Transport State Minister

Comments - 15

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