No decision has been taken concerning the restrictions imposed on vehicle imports in Sri Lanka, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya informed Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 20).
The State Minister of Finance said an import ban was imposed on nearly 2000 items due to the economic crisis, which helped revive Sri Lanka’s Foreign Exchange (Forex).
He further stated that even though restrictions on the imports of certain items have been relaxed, the ban imposed on vehicle imports remains unchanged.
State Minister Siyambalapitiya also revealed that a special committee is studying the current situation regarding vehicle imports, vehicle demand, fuel cost, and dollar reserves.
The committee is focussing on facts related to future vehicle imports, especially urgently required vehicles, and the current demand, he said.
The State Minister of Finance also gave a clarification on the 29 vehicles that were recently permitted to be imported.
He revealed that 21 double cabs were imported for the Ministry of Health, 3 buses for the Education Ministry, one vehicle for the Labour Ministry, and three ramps for SriLankan Airlines.
Out of the 29 vehicles that were imported, 26 were for projects dealing with foreign investments and were imported only after receiving foreign aid from the relevant institutions, he added. (NewsWire)