Government will not reverse gazette on cross border vehicle imports: Minister

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Colombo, July 23 (Daily Mirror) - Claiming that a clear violation of regulations has occurred in the import of vehicles under cross-border Letters of Credit (LCs), Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha said today the government will not reverse the gazette issued on cross border imports.

He told Parliament that importers were urging the government to reverse the gazette, allowing the clearance of vehicles stuck in the Hambantota port and that the government will not do so as it will be a repetition of previous wrong practices.

Responding to a question raised by SJB MP Mujibur Rahman that some 600 vehicles are stuck at the port due to the recent gazette and whether the government will reverse the gazette, the Minister said importers have violated the regulations and the gazette cannot be reversed now.

The Minister said there have been practices in the past to release vehicles when regulations were violated and added that the government will not repeat the same wrong practices.

"The gazette issued in 2025 clearly states that de-registration is required for used vehicles. The importers have failed to submit the de-registration papers," he said.

The Minister said some vehicles have been cleared subject to post audit and that an inquiry will be conducted into the incident.

Vehicle Importers earlier claimed 200-300 vehicles are currently stuck, with another 300 in transit, due to the abrupt enforcement of a 2013 gazette.