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Last Updated : 2024-04-24 08:14:00
25 May 2023 12:13 pm - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The country has no intelligent politicians to hear our proposals for the betterment of the economy, Vehicle Importers' Association of Lanka (VIAL) President Indika Sampath Merinchige said.
Addressing the media, he said the VIAL has better proposals for the importation of vehicles into the country.
"We can get help from Japan. But it is unfortunate that the country does not have intelligent politicians to hear our proposals.
"Nearly 600 vehicles, including cars and vans, have been stuck at the port for two and a half years. We made several requests to the government to release them. The vehicles in the port are worth billions, but the government does not want to take that profit," he said.
"Vehicles will not be imported again until the dollar crisis is restored. The country does not need to bring brand new vehicles, but we can import vehicles while also creating profits to the government.
"However, the existing local vehicle prices are fluctuating due to economic disparities," added Merinchige. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)
Punchi Thursday, 25 May 2023 12:21 PM
We don’t need intelligent politicians we need politicians with heightened Shinhala Buddhist fervour which is superior to intelligence
Sunil Thursday, 25 May 2023 12:29 PM
The government is doing the right thing. You guys are responsible for flooding the market with second hand vehicles with just tyre change and then called "RECONDITIONED" . You guys made thumping profits at the expense of the people. "What goes around comes around" also referred to as KARMA is affecting all of us today - what to do.
Busienssman Thursday, 25 May 2023 12:34 PM
I would agree with the President of VIAL that this country does not have intelligent politicians to develop it. However, I do not agree with the suggestion that importing vehicles is the way to go. Manufacturing vehicles locally and using some of them for revenue-generating businesses and exporting the rest at a competitive price is the way to develop the country.
Patriot Thursday, 25 May 2023 12:37 PM
Show that you have intelligence by start making vehicles here rather than going after imports for easy money.
johan Thursday, 25 May 2023 12:39 PM
We have selfish politicians without basic economic knowledge who are chosen to power through racism and extremism, by the foolish masses. Knowledgeable people are not afforded opportunities to come forward to build up the economy
Lasantha Thursday, 25 May 2023 12:39 PM
How were the said 600 cars and vans imported during am import ban? Perhaps they tried their luck of using old tricks and failed. The country is not developed by importing cars. We did it for many years and clogged up our roads and how much real contribution did it make to our economy. While appreciating that a whole industry segment is adversely impacted the national priorities are predominant at a crucial time as this. Another group impacted adversely are those who were in the business of regularly selling the vehicle import permits. Well that was merely a windfall gain courtesy of the government at the expense of the general citizens.
bimal Thursday, 25 May 2023 12:44 PM
Vehicle is not the need of the hour my friend. Ppl are struggling to ensure a decent life. The worst effect are the middle class. With skyrocketing electricity prices and food prices even with both husband and wife working things are hardly managable. Our donkey politicians reduce prices of all other good expect for food and electricity. All the food outlets are robbing the ppl with high prices. Cars can wait for another 3 years minimum. Politicians are busy fighting each to secure their seats. Association like you guys are fighting for your excess profits
Sanath Thursday, 25 May 2023 01:12 PM
There are too many vehicles on the road. No need to import vehicles for, at least for some time, but ensure to get down spare parts and other accessories.
wathsi Thursday, 25 May 2023 01:15 PM
So letting loads of vehicles coming into the country even at a time that is foreign exchange is vital is what the intelligent politicos do! Is that what this person wants?
Don Harrison Thursday, 25 May 2023 01:18 PM
I am SriLankan and have worked in the Greek Civil service in Cyprus as a senior member. We had very strict control of imports of vehicles pre EU membership and the country economy was healthy and wealthy. Since 2008 and EU entry the flood gate opned and vehicles from the EU flooded the market and countries economy eroded beyond control in to heavy foreign debt in the hands of non professional socialists regimes. Now we are in the hands of Brussels with no Control of import export policy.
lakmal Thursday, 25 May 2023 01:20 PM
Price of old car is five or six times of price on Japan. Government can allow importing old cars and put a five or six time tax. People who are in dire need for a vehicle will get it and the government will get the money. This is not right time to bring new vehicles , gasoline cars will obsolete soon and EVs still under development.
Ram Thursday, 25 May 2023 01:22 PM
We have very intelligent politicians who have been using their intelligence to fatten themselves sans the Treasury
N.M. Perera Thursday, 25 May 2023 01:29 PM
RW knows what he is doing. An astute Leader. SLPP was the Party that bankrupted the Country with Guys like you.
joshua Thursday, 25 May 2023 01:38 PM
There are enough vehicles here. Sorry, we are for non-import
UMAS ALI Thursday, 25 May 2023 01:43 PM
BUT WE GOT CLEVER POLITICIAN WHO CAN LOOT OUR MONEY
Vive James Thursday, 25 May 2023 01:43 PM
They were elected by YOU, 6.9 MILLION ELIGIBLE VOTES DON'T FORGET THAT ,PLEASE.
Sunil Thursday, 25 May 2023 02:06 PM
Spot on. They do not have the vision at all.
Rob Thursday, 25 May 2023 02:09 PM
Today this nation suffer big time due to imports we don't think like other nations everything is a easy way local industries local manufacturing is a key along local produce sri lanka depend on imports we need top class politicians in important portfolios to rebuild the nation and keep our economy growing in many ways majority wants easy money no future benifits driving taxis doing deals making a buck that need to change ....
Fact Thursday, 25 May 2023 02:38 PM
Government should have a plan to reduce road unworthy and low-quality vehicles from the roads by re exporting them to countries in Africa and allow people to import new and quality ones. Till dollar crisis is sorted they can at least allow those who work abroad to import and pay from the country they live and make it mandatory to pay the taxes in USD, by this way SL can earn some usd without losing anything . Busses on our roads are substandard and dangerous ,especially Indian made .There must be a cap of years a vehicle can be registered , 20-25 yrs. max. Smoke and pollution caused by old vehicles are unbearable and hazardous for our health and nature
Tuan Thursday, 25 May 2023 03:01 PM
Importing of vehicles is not at all a necessity. There are so many unsold vehicles in almost all wayside grey outlets.
Martin Thursday, 25 May 2023 04:21 PM
With the voting public intelligent enough to elect person like Gota to the top post of the nation, what is the point in blaming politicians? Who elected the politicians who smuggled gold and threatened authorities to allow people on forged passport to enter?
LSRM Thursday, 25 May 2023 04:41 PM
Politicians are very intelligent. That is why most of them are successful. It is the voters who elect them that are unintelligent.
Wiraj Thursday, 25 May 2023 05:03 PM
Surely the rotting cars at the port won't be reshipped back. Why not release and earn tax revenue? It's similar to what the foolish Gota regime did to confiscated Turmeric contraband, which was set on fire and destroyed, instead of releasing the essential spice thru Sathosa at lower prices. Dog in the manger attitude by our intelligent criminal politicians and bureaucrats.
Dee Thursday, 25 May 2023 07:28 PM
Our people prioritize more on a vehicle than a house to live in! They just want to show off. You guys have jazzed up the vehicle market and it was one reason for our economic crisis. Mind you when business colleagues come to SL and see the cars- they think it’s one of the best performing economies. Please don’t get into politics and ruin the current cooling down process by trying to import more and more tin cans!
Champika Thursday, 25 May 2023 09:05 PM
Most likely the foreign exchange payment for the import of these 600 cars is yet to be made based on their LC terms. If the importers took the risk to import the cars dispite the ban hoping that they may be able to work the system to their advantage the importers will need to carry that risk they chose to take on. Why should scarce foreign exchange be released to suit their whims and fancies?
Wrong Idea Thursday, 25 May 2023 09:06 PM
Political intelligence ≠ Allowing the importation of vehicles
Pantha Kumara Thursday, 25 May 2023 09:38 PM
Who says? We have very intellient people like Namal, Wimal, Udaya, Johnston and Sarath Weerasekera in government. They really work for the country. They can change our country to a miracle if Asia if they have been given the power.
Sad Thursday, 25 May 2023 09:45 PM
Intelligent and educated politicians have all been killed. Sri Lanka is the 11th miserable country in the world! Is it a wonder???
Vipula Thursday, 25 May 2023 10:09 PM
Intellient people like Namal, Wimal, Udaya, Johnston and Sarath Weerasekera to make Sri Lanka the "Miracle of Asia"? Well they already made it the "Wonder of Asia" ... everyone in asia is wondering what befell Sri Lanka!
Gamaya Friday, 26 May 2023 12:25 PM
Well question is are you intelligent enough to say what you are saying Mr. Merenchige? Bring down only used vehicles from Japan? How do you plan on financing? You want to bring down clapped out junk that is being thrown out and make money? Lets be honest, how much will a basic small EV cost in CIF lets say $ 20,000/-, what will happen you will import cars in the 1000s imagine the amount of money going out of the country. I am in the vehicle industry, but looking at the sufferings of the normal people I dont think its right or wise to import vehicles before importing the essential medicines, life saving medical equipment, and day to days items. If its govt revenue you think about, then pay your taxes correctly without hiding behind so called vehicle assembly etc.
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