Prohibitive duties may edge out Indian vehicles from Sri Lanka’s market while exemptions to those coming from Japan will give them an added advantage in the market.
Amidst this move, the Government has granted clearance for a Chinese investor to set up car-assembly plants in Hambantota and Gampaha. An investment of US $ 20 million (about Rs. 2.6 b) is being made.
A Customs official who spoke on grounds of anonymity said high taxes had been placed on cars and trucks from India. The official said a technicality placed imports of cars from Japan at an advantage. Whilst 80 per cent of the cars imported into Sri Lanka were from India and under 1000cc engine capacity, no such vehicles were brought down from Japan.
Sampath Merenchige, President of the Vehicle Importers’ Association of Lanka told the Sunday Times the popular Maruti or Alto would go up in price by a minimum of Rs 250,000. Other importers said the price of Indian trucks would increase by more than a million rupees
By Chris Kamalendran
ST
