Vehicle importers call for increased space for importing used vehicles

Be Fair Saturday, 20 April 2024 01:21 PM

Who wants to import 7-8 year old vehicles. These Importers were also part of the economic collapse I think

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Rip Winkle Saturday, 20 April 2024 01:53 PM

A tiny country like Sri Lanka, especially in the middle of a crippling economy, doesn't need any new vehicles for at least another five years. I applaud the path Ranil has taken in regard to the total ban on importations of vehicles, new and used.

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mosi Saturday, 20 April 2024 01:58 PM

what a SELFISH Proposal - only interested in the profit margin

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Gamaya Saturday, 20 April 2024 02:00 PM

Why do you want to import junk from other countries? To make more profit by selling the old vehicles at high prices? Govt should stick to one year rule and then bring in policies to stop excessive vehicle imports should the country open up.

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There Won’t Be Much Used EV’s past 3years Saturday, 20 April 2024 02:05 PM

Everyone around the world is going for EV’s. Unless they are used EVs, DO NOT ALLOW ANY OTHER TYPES OF USED VEHICLES. Countries having increased their EV usage have reported less pollution in major cities. The current batch of full fossil fuel and hybrid vehicles in SL are already polluting the atmosphere especially the 3 wheeler’s. These car dealers are more interested to make instant Profits but not thinking of the children future who will be suffering more global warming side effects.

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Ramal Saturday, 20 April 2024 02:06 PM

No. Sri Lanka does not need to be a dumping ground for overseas vehicle junk. Sorry for the second hand vehicle mudalalise, you cannot continue to make a fast buck at the expense of the country. We have more than enough vehicles in the country at the moment. Just look at the vehicle for sale listings these days. Certainly more like an over supply than a shortage.

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Jayantha Saturday, 20 April 2024 02:09 PM

Instead of allowing vehicle imports the government should encourage import of vehicle spare parts at affordable rate. This way people can use the existing vehicles. At the same time start a program to replace certain vehicles in market which are having spare parts issues and very poor fuel consumption. For example take Mazda Tribute. A vehicle that lacks spare parts and fuel consumption is one of the worst. So allow anyone who own such a vehicle to replace it with a set of common vehicles imported under government supervision. For example those suv will be replaced with say car or suv or hatchback which has enough parts locally. Government will not charge tax and only has to pay the vehicle fee and import fee. Then the old suv can either can be sold to a different country or crush it. This way money will be saved in future as unnecessary fuel wastage and money wasted on expensive parts can be saved immensely.

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joshua Saturday, 20 April 2024 02:13 PM

Tell these fellow to import roads also to accommodate these vehicles on the road. The politicians have to understand that the roads are not enough to bring more vehicles.

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Sokrates Saturday, 20 April 2024 03:25 PM

If the age of used vehicles is extended to 7 years, Sri Lanka will become a scrap heap for developed countries. The average age of passenger vehicles in Germany is just 7 years. Anyone should be allowed to import a vehicle without a license, as is common in Western countries. Electric and hybrid vehicles should receive import tax relief. Other vehicles (whether new or up to 3 years old) should only be imported if they meet the latest EU emissions regulations. All vehicles should be emissions neutral by 2030. From now on, anyone who pays for the vehicle with their own dollars and also pays customs duties and VAT in dollars should be able to import a vehicle according to the above guidelines.

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jude Saturday, 20 April 2024 03:45 PM

There's enough vehicles in the country for another 30 years. no need new vehicles for wealthy to show off

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Dee Saturday, 20 April 2024 03:51 PM

Where are the roads for these new vehicles?

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sam Saturday, 20 April 2024 04:29 PM

Vehicles beyond 3 years should not be allowed in.

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wsw Saturday, 20 April 2024 05:53 PM

Eventually when Sri lanka lifts its ban on the importation of vehicles, the government needs to mandate any vehicle over 15-20 years be taken off the road or be compelled to undergo the most stringent road worthy tests and should also be slugged with an additional road tax and registration fee. This is the only way to control the number of vehicles using our road network.

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Chryshan Saturday, 20 April 2024 06:28 PM

If they import 3 to 5 year old vehicles amount remitted can be negligible. Cars can be sold at lower prices and everyone can own a car and 3 wheels will Dissappear and all will be happy and vote for Ranil again

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Kumara Ilangasinghe Saturday, 20 April 2024 09:28 PM

Allow used vehicles owned by Srilankan expatriates for over 03 years whatever the age of the car. Certificates of fitness/emission tests must be submitted prior to shipment.

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Devendra WILLIAM Sunday, 21 April 2024 12:00 AM

Who want 7-8 years old vehicle? Vehicles 3 years or below 3 years old ok. The vehicle Importers mafia manipulates vehicle prices. The present high price for used vehicles is orchestrated by vehicle importers.

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Jude Sunday, 21 April 2024 02:00 AM

The VIAL not earning any forex to the country but they deplete the the precious forex we've earned. Only Rich and super rich can afford to buy Cars. Therefore, we don't need to import cars for another 3 years or so!!

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Appuhamy Sunday, 21 April 2024 04:55 AM

Everybody knows that there is no money to import any unnecessary stuff right now. Sri Lanka has to make do with what it can only afford and not waste foreign exchange on used or unused vehicle imports right now. These importers are ignoring the reality because they don't care just like the politicians who are demanding new duty free vehicles for themselves now .

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Javed Sunday, 21 April 2024 06:30 AM

Only low value vehicles should be allowed to import. Five yr old Japanese vehicles can be good enough for another ten years. Sri Lanka must avoid buying expensive vehicles in order to keep good foreign reserves

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P Kunchithapathan Sunday, 21 April 2024 07:04 AM

The country is still grappling with an economic crisis, and the burden of repaying borrowed loans remains a significant challenge. The populace is greatly affected by a lack of access to food and medicine, particularly among the impoverished. It is ironic to witness vehicle importers, seemingly devoid of empathy, urging the government to prioritize vehicle imports. The pressing need of the hour is unquestionably not importing vehicles, but rather bolstering public transport infrastructure. Sri Lanka Railways, for instance, possesses substantial potential to expand its railway tracks and enhance train schedules. Additionally, there is scope for expanding bus services to alleviate the transportation woes of the populace. It is high time that the president should put his foot down on this issue and unveil plans to ease the difficulties faced by daily commuters without propper transport infrastructure.

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Palitha Tharanga Sunday, 21 April 2024 07:28 AM

Used vehicle prices in Sri Lanka are insane - like in an underdeveloped African country - and a 300% tax on vehicles shows the government's inefficiency in its economic activities. Government officials with signing and approval authority in the government sector are hidden businessmen, and half of their profit from real investments is earned by these officials even before they are cleared from customs. It is a very pathetic situation for an entrepreneur - for the country to develop, the government should facilitate entrepreneurs to develop and get employment- The guy who imports shoes slippers and vehicles suffers a lot

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Surrupa Daya Sunday, 21 April 2024 07:38 AM

If we import 7 year old vehicle from the next year we would have to import spares for those vehicle. That is the very reason Japan and those very countries are exporting them

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Lakmal Sunday, 21 April 2024 07:39 AM

Good point. Even a six times import tax is imposed on 7 year old car, price will less than current market price. It will save forex as well. If import ban is continued like this, 1. People will keep money in foreign bank accounts forever 2. Educated youth who expect reasonable living standards will keep on leaving the country 3. Inflation would further escalate since vehicle price is benchmark price for selling other properties.

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Bande Sunday, 21 April 2024 08:08 AM

Check past income of all major players in vehicle importations, then you will realise the mass amount of profits they have earned through various types of scams.

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KumaraT Sunday, 21 April 2024 09:35 AM

As I know from my trade sources, these VIAL chaps are pushing for this in cahoots with Indian used cars dealers. In India automobiles older than 15 years have been banned from streets. There is a huge pool of such vehicles. As per rules they are be scrapped but dealers have figured out that exporting them to neighboring markets is more profitable. There is nothing wrong with the vehicles. But they need to be thoroughly tested before registration in SL

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Engineer Sunday, 21 April 2024 09:58 AM

Import only good quality buses for public transport , which will benefit people and the country. Not private vehicles as it will stress on forex rate

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Engineers association Sunday, 21 April 2024 10:01 AM

Give vehicle import licence to exporters as per percentage of export earning they have done. So everyone try to do exports and get a vehicle import licence. No stress on Forex as it they can send forex out if they earn forex

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Priyan66 Sunday, 21 April 2024 10:02 AM

Do not permit vehicle imports now. Use bank funds to help exporters

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Sokrates Sunday, 21 April 2024 10:06 AM

Increasing the age to 7 years for imported vehicles would result in Sri Lanka becoming a scrapyard for Japan and the West. In Germany, for example, a passenger car is scrapped after 7 years. All old cars pose an immense danger to the environment. The monopoly of vehicle importers here is also not healthy. Everyone should be allowed to import their dream vehicle without a license. For example, if I want to import a vehicle from the US in Germany, whether new or used, I call a dealer there, buy the vehicle, transfer the money including freight costs and the dealer sends the vehicle to Germany in a container. There I then pay 10% duty and 19% VAT. That's how easy it can be. There are no taxes to pay in the USA as the vehicle is exported.

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Sarath Gooneratne Sunday, 21 April 2024 10:09 AM

Yes, most 7-8 year old vehicles in Europe are still almost like new and they are the best option for a poor country like Sri Lanka as most good cars are extremely expensive now and people just can't afford the high prices. Sri Lankans just don't earn enough to purchase brand new cars, unless through corruption of just stealing. Also these will be much cheaper (half price) resulting in much lower foreign exchange requirement.

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Ronna Sunday, 21 April 2024 11:18 AM

Sri lanka a small tiny country don't need anymore vheicles that pollute environment we have far toomany vheicles that used diesel and other toxic substance most of the vheicles are poorly maintained even the petrol vehicles we dont need more vheicles we need procedures to improve on going vehicles to keep smoke toxic that cause sickness reduced specially in colombo roads jam packed with toomany vheicles that creates all kind of issues

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