State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, has clarified that only vehicles designated for the tourism sector are allowed for import.
Addressing the media, Siyambalapitiya highlighted that the Cabinet of Ministers sanctioned the import of 250 buses and 750 vans specifically intended for the tourism industry.
He stated, “Due to the foreign exchange constraints in the country, vehicle imports were restricted. However, vehicles older than 6 years cannot be utilized in the tourism industry. As these vehicles age, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to import 250 buses and 750 vans for the tourism sector. A total of 1000 vehicles will be imported.”
During its meeting on April 01, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal put forward by Tourism Minister Harin Fernando to allow the importation of 1,000 buses and vans to enhance transportation services for tourists.
The proposal entails importing 6-15-seater vans, as well as 16-30-seater (small) buses and 30-45-seater (large) buses, without any special tax exemptions.
The approval was granted considering the unsatisfactory condition of the current vehicles used in the tourism industry, despite the stipulation that vehicles engaged in tourist transportation should not exceed 6 years of use.
The government has previously expressed concerns about the negative impact on Sri Lanka’s reputation as a premier tourist destination due to the utilization of aged vehicles resulting from limitations on vehicle imports and essential spare parts.
Source – adaderana.lk
