Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Last Updated : 2024-04-29 22:32:00
15 April 2024 10:31 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Colombo, April 15 (Daily Mirror)- Claiming that only vehicle imports have been restricted by now, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today that a committee is studying the possibility of permitting vehicle imports on a priority basis in the future.
He told reporters that 750 vans and 250 buses required for the tourism sector have already been permitted to be imported.
He said import of some 1,500 items had been restricted due to the economic crisis and that restriction on all items except on vehicles had been lifted by now.
“A special committee is studying the matters pertaining to the import of vehicles. The Committee is looking into what type of vehicles are essential, whether used vehicles are to be imported, what kind of used vehicles (number of years used), fuel consumption of vehicles and capacity of roads,” he said.
The Minister said vehicle imports will be allowed gradually on a priority basis after considering the requirement of the country while ensuring that the country will not run into a crisis again.
Responding to a question, he said reserves will not decrease as a result of servicing debt as installments are restructured to suit the economy of the country according to the debt restructuring process.
“Debt servicing will not deplete reserves as claimed by the opposition. Under the debt restructuring process, installments are restructured to suit the economy of the country and it will not add an additional burden to the economy,” he said.
Trehan Munasinghe Monday, 15 April 2024 11:22 PM
These parasites can go on V8's and luxury vehicles and expect the people to travel in bullock carts, rusted trains and Lorry chassis buses, whilst paying heavy duty for basic vehicles. You people are a curse to this country. Did the country go bankrupt by importing vehicles? Have a proper tax policy on imported vehicles, one that is not changed as election gimmicks like the past. Also don't charge 300% duty from the people and go in duty free V8's and other luxury vehicles, you won't last very long. Tax should be nothing more than 100% of CIF value for any imported vehicle. Entry level cars should be 25 - 50% duty. Because that is the aspiration of the working class and middle class. Have a yearly import quota of vehicles if you are so concerned about foreign exchange.
Jude Monday, 15 April 2024 11:59 PM
The resent surge of tourism brought some invaluable forex And you want your cronies to deplete it!!!
A migrant Tuesday, 16 April 2024 03:43 AM
Sometimes we hear that government asks migrants to return. How do you expect migrant returnees to get a decent vehicle? At least why don't you allow migrant returnees to bring their personal used vehicle?
Returning migrant with no car Tuesday, 16 April 2024 03:50 PM
Well said. Or even allow migrants to pay for the car and duty with foreign exchange earned abroad.
New Loans Added Monthly to Sustain Over Expenditures Tuesday, 16 April 2024 04:30 AM
Even if it’s on instalment basis to pay back the previous loans, your government is taking new loans also. These are added to the current debt balance on a monthly to yearly basis'. Your government expenditures are TOO HIGH. Over staffed government sector, mega amount of senior officers in the Tri Forces having lucrative perks with high salaries, too many politicians with countless security teams, high end vehicles, lucrative perks with high salaries too. Current solution is to increase taxes and take new loans to mitigate the situation. There are no plans to stop taking new loans as this is the norm for many decades and situation blew up in 2022. Citizens are still struggling whereas you people are still living the lavish life without making sacrifices like the average citizen. All these loans are affecting the rupee value until it’s all paid one day. That’s why a new government is needed as you guys brought this mess and will continue with taking new loans as it’s become a norm.
DBS Lumbini Tuesday, 16 April 2024 04:58 AM
Another man played with pakshe thieves until country sees bankruptcy still playing. This is not in support of jeppos who backed pakshe-thieves and their friendship continues to dent politics and the economy.....
Cholmondeley Pinto Tuesday, 16 April 2024 05:36 AM
There we go again. PRIORITY BASIS will be luxury car permits issued to MPs before the elections. They need money to contest and their needs to be satisfied.
Sarath Tuesday, 16 April 2024 06:05 AM
No hurry for vehicle import. Keep building the reserves which will come in handy to absorb the shocks that will come down the road to recovery. There may be certain folk wanting to use their duty free vehicle import permit who will exert great pressure to open up import of vehi8in a great hurry. Just do the right thing for the country in the longer-term.
P Kunchithapathan Tuesday, 16 April 2024 06:27 AM
Finding lame excuses to help the vehicle importers Mafia with the support of the government codgers to hit a deal. Machines are not working in government hospitals, shortages in medicines and many other critical things pending. Betrayal to the core.
Jayantha Tuesday, 16 April 2024 07:44 AM
Both those vans and buses should be imported from brands where parts will be cheap and affordable otherwise when ever repair comes the dollars will vanish again. For example look at the benz and ford ambulances imported during Yahapalanaya. Luxury wise excellent but spare parts of these vehicles are extremely expensive. Before crisis the break pad pair of ford ambulances were around 75k or 120k. So as we are still in crisis these things should be considered when importing.
Sambo Tuesday, 16 April 2024 07:48 AM
What is such priority in getting down a vehicle. Even now while importing of vehicles are banned several new vehicles are on the roads. Do you think the public are blind.
Neomal Perera Tuesday, 16 April 2024 07:58 AM
No. 1 priority, importing super luxury SUVs for MPs and ministers.
R Dias Tuesday, 16 April 2024 08:01 AM
Who will have the priority is anyone's guess.
Leo Tuesday, 16 April 2024 08:15 AM
A move to grant MP's with new SUV's.
joshua Tuesday, 16 April 2024 08:52 AM
appoint MPs who want vehicles. They will give you a good recommendation.
BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 16 April 2024 09:01 AM
Stop the complete issue of Duty Free Vehicles for Ministers. They are the main culprits who damaged this economy. Further, no more Duty Free Permits for Doctors and State Employees. Doctors got the benefit of free Higher Education from Public Money which itself is an adequate benefit for their life time. State Employees are the laziest workers of this country.
Athk69 Tuesday, 16 April 2024 09:24 AM
Have a policy to re-export used vehicles for spare parts and recycling of metal and other components. This will bring in some earnings, and reduce waste buildup in Sri Lanka.
Seeya Tuesday, 16 April 2024 09:50 AM
Do we know who is in this committee of yours? Are unscrupulous car dealers also involved? Why dont you tell the public the findings of this committee who have been doing up plans.
Aso Tuesday, 16 April 2024 09:55 AM
Not Duty Free Vehicles for the MPS before elections please
Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
US authorities are currently reviewing the manifest of every cargo aboard MV
On March 26, a couple arriving from Thailand was arrested with 88 live animal
According to villagers from Naula-Moragolla out of 105 families 80 can afford
Is the situation in Sri Lanka so grim that locals harbour hope that they coul
