Rolls-Royce Phantom touches down in SL

15 May 2025 08:23 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 59 Bookmark

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A brand-new Rolls-Royce Phantom Series 8 II, Bentley Bentayga and BMW M3 CS have officially arrived in Sri Lanka, marking the high-profile return of ultra-luxury vehicles following the recent easing of the vehicle import ban.

The vehicles were spotted being unloaded from an air cargo shipment at the Bandaranaike International Airport. The delivery is reportedly considered one of the most expensive air cargo shipments in Sri Lanka’s history. -Pictures courtesy Social Media-

Comments - 59

Baila mo Thursday, 15 May 2025 08:44 PM

Few years back we would have blamed Yoshitha Rajapakse for wasting tax payers money even though most of us don't actually have a tax file. but now we live in cleaned Sri Lanka. only thing that needs cleaning is our warped brains.

123 62

dds Thursday, 15 May 2025 10:41 PM

How do you know if this was brought here with the taxpayers' money or not? You certainly have a warped mind and attitude.

35 139

Periyalingam Friday, 16 May 2025 12:42 AM

How hundreds of poor women should be exported for slavery to bring enough $ for one of these?

14 14

Zarook Friday, 16 May 2025 12:43 AM

System change Pacha Kumara style.

37 15

Jaffna Logic Thursday, 15 May 2025 08:46 PM

Who will end up owning these super luxury cars in Sri Lanka ? Poorly educated most corrupt Sri Lankan Businessmen .

18 97

GAMARALA Wednesday, 21 May 2025 07:46 PM

only one i can think of is Namal Rajapakse

4 2

Balaraman Seeralan Thursday, 15 May 2025 09:34 PM

Motherland is fully recovered from bankruptcy and turned around as a developed nation.... People are affluent to buy a half billion rupees car....

31 57

Gabriella Thursday, 15 May 2025 09:51 PM

Ideal for Sri Lankan roads. Not forgetting the highly skilled drivers.

16 85

දුප්පතාගෙ ආණ්‌ඩුව ලු ලු ලු Thursday, 15 May 2025 09:53 PM

AKD might know who it belongs to. He knew about the invisible Lamborghini owned by NR.

78 72

Rip Winkle Thursday, 15 May 2025 10:11 PM

Speechless.

2 103

Dr Tissa Fernando Thursday, 15 May 2025 10:34 PM

Utter waste of hard earned foreign currency, may be this is what the Pacha party promised . We have no objection for any individual bringing these vehicles into country but it should be out of foreign money they earn from abroad ( not export income) from their own businesses operating in those countries. They should also pay the tax in Dollars . But if the dollars are coming from IMF money, then the Pacha party is same like Yahapalana government.

108 45

Dr Sajith Supporter Thursday, 15 May 2025 10:42 PM

I do agree with you Dr Pacha Tissa Fernando.

11 72

joshua Thursday, 15 May 2025 11:09 PM

tom pachaya Tissa

4 20

Fact Check Thursday, 15 May 2025 11:54 PM

You must see this overall from economic terms. These cars pay nearly 275% duty which money goes to govt for local requirements. So in other words govt is selling dollars with a premium of 275% for the import. Also at point of registration the buyer must declare his tax status giving the TIN No. to assess his commitment and find out source of income. It is not a simple exercise as you think.

2 24

WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW WHO THE OWNERS WILL BE Friday, 16 May 2025 12:50 AM

No mention of who purchased these vehicles so why rant off?. if anyone has the money to purchase any vehicle it's ok, as it is none of our business how the people spend their money. However, let us wait and see who will take ownership of these vehicles, private or govt.

2 17

Gon Tissa Friday, 16 May 2025 10:45 AM

Welcome back gon Tissa!

2 12

Charles Thursday, 15 May 2025 10:35 PM

Urgent priorities in a recently bankrupt country. Priorities have certainly been reset.

2 66

MFB Thursday, 15 May 2025 10:44 PM

These vehicles will have a showroom value. You can’t really enjoy the high speed driving in Sri Lanka. Maximum 100 on Southern highway, that too for just one hour drive.

5 10

මෝඩ කැලුම් Friday, 16 May 2025 10:53 AM

Many people have enjoyed very high speed driving here in Sri Lanka. They're in a good place now.

1 8

Patcitz Thursday, 15 May 2025 10:51 PM

A great blunder of the AKD regime; AKD was misled by the US to achieve their missions.

17 8

Adrian Fernandez Thursday, 15 May 2025 11:35 PM

Godayata Magic

4 7

Tony Fernando Thursday, 15 May 2025 11:47 PM

This is a gift left by Ho Chi Min in his last will to AKD and his recent visit to Vietnam was to sign the paperwork.

19 8

Tin Tin Friday, 16 May 2025 12:18 AM

For comrades in Pelawatte

17 8

wickrama Wijayasiri Friday, 16 May 2025 12:38 AM

The last laugh belongs to the average Sri Lankan. These vehicles, unless they are for exhibition purposes only, have drive on the same roads as the old Toyota Corellas. They will get hit like any other car on our roads. Fools and their money part very fast. Harry J did not take even his underwear with him when he went.

2 12

Ranjan Friday, 16 May 2025 01:03 AM

The owners may be some of our present cricketers or retired ones who are super rich. No one can criticise and their hard earned money

1 19

whocares Saturday, 24 May 2025 03:41 PM

@Ranjan: What do you mean by no one can criticise their hard earned money? If the affluent, rich and corrupt people kept their money 100%, it means they haven't been paying taxes to the country. Which means the whole population has been robbed from all income tax that should have been generated on their revenue, investments and assets. No one owns their salary 100% outright. I see this is not common sense to you and many in this forum - which explains why we ended up in this mess of bankruptcy a few years ago. Many don't want to pay sufficient/higher tax to cover legitimate government expenditures like all other people do in other countries, and then when we are bankrupt and ask the IMF to bail us out (which is funded by other tax payers in other countries), and we complain about the conditions which they impose (i.e. increase tax) we complain?! Sheer madness!

0 0

Perera Friday, 16 May 2025 01:15 AM

The IRD should be on the trail to see who imported these and how much income tax they have been paying to the IRD all this while.

1 11

Insider Friday, 16 May 2025 10:47 AM

There is a regulation when imports were allowed that all new vehicle registrations should declare TIN No. so IRD can follow up how the money was earned.

0 8

Sour Grapes? Friday, 16 May 2025 01:28 AM

This is a good sign of prosperity of Sri Lankans. For those who whine and complain about an expensive luxury car, why don't you be happy and work your way up to making it in life instead of vilifying the rich?

4 11

Jude Friday, 16 May 2025 01:45 AM

The RR Phantom alone cost US $800,000 without tax and freight. Now with freight and taxes then converted to rupees it's over 600 million rupees. It's insane to putta car on SL roads costing that kind of money. No one with hard-earned will spend enormous amount of money on a car, seriously.

2 16

Observer Friday, 16 May 2025 10:50 AM

Dilith Jayaweera declared he earns 16 million Rs. per month. There are others who earn more.

0 8

Just a thought Friday, 16 May 2025 04:26 PM

It can be a wealthy businessman, who has worked hard all his life and is entitled to purchase whatever he like to own. On the other hand, may be a corrupt individual or a stooge of his, not sure but correct me if I am wrong can money be laundered this way by putting it into assets?.

0 1

Ravana Friday, 16 May 2025 02:35 AM

What if local billionaires pool their resources together and pay off the IMF loan? Will SL government pay them the interest rates?

2 7

Fact Check Friday, 16 May 2025 12:25 PM

They cannot pay back IMF loan with SLRs. They will need to buy us$ from the international market if they can find buyers for SLRs. to pay off IMF.

0 3

nizam Friday, 16 May 2025 02:45 PM

Good suggestion Ravana, Next time hope the people will think twice and let two businessmen take over the reins. They will negotiate better.

0 1

Ravi Friday, 16 May 2025 02:49 AM

So much for the interest of the common man !!!

0 4

Jeanne Friday, 16 May 2025 03:40 AM

I am confused. People are starving, we have run out of chicken pox vaccines, mosquito disease is out of control and yet, these vulgar displays of wealth will soon be trundling around on our awful roads lined with garbage, stagnant water and beggars without a meal to eat or the means to seek a doctor's care for an infectious or life threatening disease. And all this is happening in a country that preaches humility and compassion. This is simply an opinion, not an accusation.

3 24

M Fernando Friday, 16 May 2025 12:44 PM

I hope you are not critiquing. This is showcasing our proud 2500 year old values "clean suit, empty pocket" !

0 3

Priyan66 Friday, 16 May 2025 05:09 AM

People who work hard or do business and earn money are deserved to spent their money as they want. Everyone must work hard to earn money and enjoy the life

1 9

Wiseman Friday, 16 May 2025 05:57 AM

Driving those around Sri Lanka, definitely these will acquire few scrapes...

7 7

Moada hutans Friday, 16 May 2025 10:55 AM

You seem to be a good driver.

0 3

මෝඩ කැලුම් Friday, 16 May 2025 06:38 AM

The RR sources say that the Phantom starts around US $ 400,000 (roughly around SLR 120,000,000 without the tax), and customised ones can go up to $ 1m. I still can't decide if I should buy just 3 or 5.

0 27

Sarath Gooneratne Friday, 16 May 2025 08:14 AM

This is complete nonsense , although I fully support most of the NPP work. We are a poor nation and should not waste money on such high end vehicles unless it comes to Sri Lanka from foreign exchange earners. We must not forget that there are so many poor families jn Sri Lanka that can't afford three square meals a day or to even buy medice that is required for their elderly parents. Shame and Very poor taste on the people who imported these vehicles just to show off. Do some good by helping the poor !!

3 6

Dr. Dee est Friday, 16 May 2025 08:21 AM

What is wrong with with some people? Everybody will never be equal! Some can’t afford a mobike whilst others can afford a RR phantom! Do people expect everyone to have the same type of transportation?

19 11

Gona Friday, 16 May 2025 08:41 AM

Only AKD can buy. I wonder what happened to the money robbed from banks during the insurrection. 'I can't remember '. Another Aragalaya in the offing.

24 7

wickrama Wijayasiri Friday, 16 May 2025 11:31 PM

Your pseudonym suits you very well

1 1

john Friday, 16 May 2025 08:49 AM

It is the money earned by garment girls, foreign domestic workers.

18 2

Rich Country Friday, 16 May 2025 08:53 AM

Socialism at its best. Now we are a rich nation with a beautiful tomorrow LOL

14 3

navratne willamune Friday, 16 May 2025 09:13 AM

As long as it is clean money, and paid all the taxes. Why worry, unless you feel jealous

2 22

Imtias Friday, 16 May 2025 10:49 AM

What I only think is how many miles would they run on Sri Lankan roads. How many hours of joyful trips the owner or hirers would enjoy in the comfort of this vehicle. Would these vehicles sin inside a room more than in the roads. Isn't it funny?

1 6

Boatang Friday, 16 May 2025 11:29 AM

Yes, it is funny.

0 6

Ela Friday, 16 May 2025 11:38 AM

It’s brought down for a doctor for sure and ya’ll know what they do.

2 0

gallbanis Friday, 16 May 2025 12:13 PM

I do not know why people are so jealous. There are so many industries in Sri Lanka and every country and there are big players in every sector say for example textiles, agriculture, IT services, Renowned Doctors, Engineers, owners of multi national companies etc .. Do you expect the owner of Damro Nolimit thilakarwardhana , kandy to go in a Nissan? They are genuine businesses contributing to the economy by giving jobs, tax income. If they can afford and if they pay the import duties why cant they have it? I do not know who imported this, the mindset of people need to change rather than judging and assuming whether its illegal money or not! It is the responsibility of the government to investigate that so lets be happy that a fellow Sri Lankan is driving a high end vehicle which a normal person cannot afford rather than tarnishing their image every time you see a high end vehicle on the road. Pure Jealousy of People!

0 11

Jeanne Friday, 16 May 2025 05:06 PM

Actually, I don't think people are jealous. I feel that people are a simply shocked at the extremes in the standard of living in Sri Lanka, that's all. You work hard, you are successful, what you choose to do with your money is entirely up to you but somehow it seems crass to import cars of this level of luxury - it just screams "new rich" and a little out of touch. But, good luck to the owners.

1 6

M Fernando Friday, 23 May 2025 07:51 PM

No one is jealous - it's just bizarre that a bankrupt country where most of it's population is leading a hand-to-mouth existence has this level of in-your-face conspicuous consumption. SHows the lack of class and empathy that Sri Lanka is rightly world famous for

0 0

Hadden Friday, 16 May 2025 12:51 PM

Let’s avoid making premature judgments based on assumptions and speculation. Sri Lanka operates as a democracy with a mixed economic model, combining aspects of both socialism and capitalism. If a businessman is successful and has legally imported a vehicle while fulfilling all tax obligations, there's no issue with that

0 8

Dr Soori Maripalan Friday, 16 May 2025 02:44 PM

Even though it is for a private man - need foreign Pin Maney currency given by IMF - such a crime!

0 1

dr kuma Monday, 19 May 2025 07:52 AM

Imports should have been implimented at 1500 cc max for petrol cars

1 0

Nigger Sunday, 28 September 2025 02:00 PM

Funny how most people in the comments are just assuming that these cars were imported through the country's dollars instead of self earned USD lol I guess hating the rich is down to the genes of Lankans

0 0

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