Gazette issued allowing release of vehicles held at customs

25 October 2025 08:29 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 9 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, October 25. (Daily Mirror) - A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued outlining new regulations for the release of vehicles currently held by Sri Lanka Customs.

The Gazette, signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as

Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, took effect yesterday (24).

Although vehicle imports were permitted from February this year, over 1,000 vehicles brought into the country through Cross Border Letters of Credit (LCs)—in suspected violation of Import-Export Regulations Gazette No. 2 of 2013—remained uncleared at the Hambantota Port.

Under the new directive, permission has been granted to release nearly a thousand vehicles imported via cross-border LCs opened in a country other than the exporting nation. The Gazette also specifies a series of conditions to be met during the release and registration processes for these vehicles.

Comments - 9

Amila Saturday, 25 October 2025 09:22 PM

Very good decision

15 13

SLEx Saturday, 25 October 2025 11:28 PM

He is the only one who is clean. Every state institution is very corrupt with non-ev vehicle importers paying customs to not release these vehicles because they are unable to compete or deliberately inflating the prices. These same non-ev importers also own the mechanic garages and spare part shops. They are just trying to save their cash cow.

1 9

Yohan Sunday, 26 October 2025 12:03 AM

Good decision and this is why executive presidency should be retained and strengthen to some level. Also he should do same for electric vehicles held for no clear reason. Also pass any necessary laws via parliament so that no issue will arise in future again.

2 3

npp man Sunday, 26 October 2025 12:36 AM

What about BYD ?

0 4

Dayantha Jayarathna Sunday, 26 October 2025 05:39 AM

Electric vehicles represent a cleaner, more sustainable future for Sri Lanka’s transport sector. However, applying outdated ICE-era tax models to EVs is counterproductive and risks derailing consumer and investor confidence in this transition. A modern, value-based, efficiency-aligned taxation policy will better serve Sri Lanka’s environmental goals, fiscal needs, and technology leadership. Immediate action to revise the policy and release detained EVs under fair guidelines is essential to restoring confidence and avoiding further market disruption.

1 20

Lost Lankan Sunday, 26 October 2025 06:52 AM

Winner is BYD

9 0

SLEx Sunday, 26 October 2025 12:20 PM

Winners are the citizens that spent their hard earned money on a vehicle they believe is the best for them and their family. BYD already got the money needed via the importer way before it was released via customs.

2 9

Nimal Jayamaha Sunday, 26 October 2025 06:52 AM

A good decision, but too late. In the cercumstance a decision should have been made much earlier.

7 4

Adwani Sunday, 26 October 2025 09:26 AM

The government must take immediate decisions when comes to trade and other public utilities. Without causing any harm to any environmental or other general areas. There are custom officials who might engage in demanding bribes, when they fail to achieve their target, they cite various rules and regulations to harass the traders.

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