It is reported that the Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) stated in a press conference held in Colombo that giving the opportunity to import electric vehicles to only one company will create a market monopoly and this will not provide any relief to the people.
The Ministry of Investment Promotion has submitted a cabinet paper to impose a 100% customs duty on the import of electric vehicles with a power of up to 500 kilowatts or plug-ins up to 3000 cc.
Here, the opportunity has been provided to benefit one organization by importing vehicles, and for these electric vehicles, there is no need for value addition in the country for the first two years. The Sri Lanka Vehicle Importers Association further mentions that it is entitled.
Also, the secretary of the union, Mr. Arosha Rodrigo, says that if the relevant cabinet proposal is approved, the auto industry, which is currently in decline, will be severely affected, and the import of vehicles will not bring the desired result to the national income or the economy, and the government will not get an advantage due to the duty-free import of vehicles. and that
Mr. Prasad Manage, the president of that association,
“This cabinet paper has been presented with the name of the company that imports electric vehicles. These people had previously obtained permission to assemble vehicles in Sri Lanka. Now they are preparing to import electric vehicles with a new look. As mentioned in the cabinet paper, vehicles will be imported duty-free.
