President eases restrictions on vehicle imports, issues gazette notification

Peter Perera Friday, 31 January 2025 11:30 PM

President akd, Did you think twice as you stated in public about the tax payers.

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Jude Saturday, 01 February 2025 12:15 AM

ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NOTTA GOOD IDEA!!!

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Jude Saturday, 01 February 2025 12:18 AM

VEHICLES for whom!!??? For the Rich yeah. Give some concessions to the poor And to the dirt poor.

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FredSnR Saturday, 01 February 2025 02:16 AM

Japan says thank you .

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Sivalingam Saturday, 01 February 2025 02:56 AM

AKW instructed by Usuf ?

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Avery Markham Saturday, 01 February 2025 03:51 AM

Tax audit every one who buys a vehicle above 7 million.

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N Padukka Saturday, 01 February 2025 03:52 AM

Who Usuf or AKW ?

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Jude Saturday, 01 February 2025 04:28 AM

This move is helping some New found friends, yeah!!!

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ANTON Saturday, 01 February 2025 05:02 AM

MOST IMPORTANT BURNING ISSUE IN SRILANKA WAS SOLVED SUCCESFULLY.

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Dias Saturday, 01 February 2025 07:54 AM

How come there are no many new vehicles floating around the roads?

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Fahim Mufakkir Mutazillah( aka Fahim reasons) Saturday, 01 February 2025 08:40 AM

I remain uncertain about how the latest policy changes of vehicle imports will impact the current financial situation. Adding to these concerns is the persistent issue of traffic congestion. Comment will cont..

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Fahim Mufakir Mutazilah(aka Fahim reasons) Saturday, 01 February 2025 08:46 AM

Cont ..For me, the priority should be alleviating the economic hardships faced by ordinary citizens. I fully understand the daily struggles of hardworking people striving to provide for their families. They have borne the brunt of the economic crisis—especially young men and women who have taken loans to secure a decent home, a vehicle, and an education for their children. These individuals are the backbone of our country. They have never been a burden; rather, they have always been an asset. Yet, successive governments have failed to provide any meaningful relief for these hardworking citizens—whether they are factory workers, supermarket employees, or private cleaning staff, or whether they are self-employed individuals running small and medium-sized businesses through bank loans. Most notably, thousands of women endure grueling conditions while working overseas to support their families. Meanwhile, estate workers, whose labor generates substantial profits, are paid meager stipends.

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Fahim Mufakir Mutazilah( aka Fahim reasons) Saturday, 01 February 2025 08:51 AM

Cont.. Instead of supporting these citizens, the government shamelessly uses their tax contributions to sustain loss-making state enterprises that serve as political vote banks. The foreign remittances earned through the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of these workers are used to pay for fuel and other imports, while the government boasts about offering subsidies—funded, once again, by the taxes of those who struggle the most. What direct relief has any government ever provided to these citizens—whether they work in private establishments, run small and medium-sized businesses, or labor abroad? Many of them do not even utilize free healthcare or education, yet their taxes fund these public services. Their contributions sustain the government, pay public sector employees, and even finance their pensions—this is nothing short of daylight robbery.

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Fahim Mufakir Mutazilah( aka Fahim reaons) Saturday, 01 February 2025 08:56 AM

Reintroducing vehicle imports will do nothing to help these struggling citizens. The primary beneficiaries will be auto traders, business tycoons, and, of course, the political elite seeking to maintain their vote bank—a tactic employed by every past government. The math is simple: a million state employees, along with their families and close associates, are enough to secure political power or at least maintain control in Parliament. Now, the government is planning to recruit 30,000 more state employees, further burdening the system. Ultimately, I stand firm in my belief that we need a constitutional system that ensures real public participation—perhaps through a semi-direct democracy that grants citizens the power of recall. No other system will truly serve the people.( my own opinion)

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Fahim Mufakir Mutazilah( aka Fahim reasons) Saturday, 01 February 2025 08:58 AM

Ultimately, I stand firm in my belief that we need a constitutional system that ensures real public participation—perhaps through a semi-direct democracy that grants citizens the power of recall. No other system will truly serve the people. I chose not to vote in the recent elections, and I will abstain from the upcoming provincial elections as well. I refuse to be complicit in a system where my vote only enables a government that exploits the common man to fund subsidies for its political supporters.

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Sue Kirthisinghe Saturday, 01 February 2025 10:25 AM

AKD. What will the IMF say? Are you starting to go down the same road as the others? Whose bright idea was this? Catering to the rich while there are so many other burning issues in the country? I don't think this is a good idea, No way...

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Fahim Mufakkir Mutazilah( aka Fahim reasons) Saturday, 01 February 2025 12:05 PM

To address the ongoing economic crisis, the foremost step is to remove the government from business operations. This should be followed by the privatization of all state-owned enterprises (SOEs)

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Fahim Reasons .. Saturday, 01 February 2025 12:08 PM

However, a key challenge lies in determining which of the completely defunct SOEs, if any, can be merged. More importantly, it is crucial to ensure the protection of employees in viable SOEs set for privatization while providing a sustainable severance plan for those working in defunct SOE enterprises that cannot be privatized.

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Fahim Reasons Saturday, 01 February 2025 12:11 PM

A structured approach would involve issuing shares to all employees, with the government deciding the percentage. The remaining shares could be distributed in three parts: 1. A portion allocated to local private companies. 2. A portion offered to foreign investors. 3. The remainder retained by the government, which could utilize the profits from its share, along with tax revenues, to partially fund public sector salaries and pensions. While this may not fully cover the financial requirements, it would significantly reduce the burden on the economy and put an end to the billions wasted on loss-making SOEs. Additionally, employees would have a vested interest in the success of these enterprises, fostering a sense of ownership and motivation to enhance profitability. Furthermore, the import of cars and other non-essential goods should be restricted to those who can generate their own foreign exchange. ..

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Seeya Saturday, 01 February 2025 02:19 PM

If you want a new car get your taxes in order, because you will need a tax clearance at the point of registration. AKD is closing the net on the tax defaulters, and wants you to be a proper tax payer if you want a new vehicle. And I wholeheartedly welcome this move. If you can afford a Rs. 5-6mil vehicle you should show how you earned your money and paid the govt the taxes.

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