Decision to cancel vehicle imports stays - Minister

Co-Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media and Information Minister Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stated that the decision to import duty-free vehicles for State institutions and Ministries has been cancelled.

He said the Prime Minister had submitted a proposal to Cabinet on June 7, stating that this was not an opportune to import vehicles. Accordingly, the government decided to suspend the import of vehicles and the order was cancelled.

He was speaking to the media after a meeting held at the Central Provincial Council Auditorium on Saturday (12). Minister Rambukwella stated that after the decision was taken on June 7 to cancel the importation of vehicles, an explicit agreement was reached with the relevant Banks on June 8 and 9 to cancel the agreement.

He said that although it was decided to import the required vehicles to government agencies and ministries before the pandemic, steps have been taken to cancel the relevant agreement as it is not suitable at this time.

The Minister said that the cancellation of this agreement involving a third party for whom a State Bank had issued Letters of Credit could not be made immediately after the cancellation decision was taken and an accepted methodology should be followed in this regard.

He said it was a question that certain parties criticise the government’s decision to repeal and whether it was out of political hypocrisy or a lack of clear understanding of the methodology for repealing it.