Business
Authorized mobile importers urge Govt to reconsider VAT hike amidst parallel import challenges

A group of authorized mobile phone importers in Sri Lanka express their deep concern over the Sri Lankan government’s decision to remove mobile phones from the Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions list, coupled with a simultaneous increase in VAT from 15% to 18%, effective January 1st, 2024. This dual impact, wherein devices now not only face a sudden VAT imposition, but also at a significant rate of 18%, pose substantial challenges for the industry and the country. The importers urgently call for a critical reassessment by the authorities in light of these compounded challenges.
The timing of the VAT hike is particularly challenging for authorized mobile phone importers in the country. These companies have collaborated with the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) to find viable solutions to the challenges of parallel imports. Parallel imports, or grey market goods, involve the import and sale of branded products in a market without the trademark owner’s consent. This issue has already caused a tax revenue loss of LKR 3.1 billion (USD 9.4 million) and a Forex outflow of LKR 31.6 billion (USD 96 million) via illegal channels in Sri Lanka.
With the sudden VAT increase, this loss is estimated to rise to 11.9 billion LKR, marking a substantial increase in tax revenue loss from illegal imports. Additionally, there is a projected further tax revenue loss to the government, amounting to a LKR 2.5 billion decline from legitimate imports. This decline is anticipated due to increased parallel import products driven by the rising prices of genuine products.
Moreover, the ramifications extend beyond the economic landscape. Over 10,000 direct job opportunities are now at risk, leaving families dependent on the industry—more than 15,000, including those involved in logistics, printing, branding, advertising, etc.—facing uncertainty. The policy change also jeopardizes direct Forex investment for market development by principals (ATL/BTL), putting this crucial financial support at risk. Furthermore, the spectre of a national security threat looms as parallel imports introduces unknown devices to the country, creating challenges in tracking these products.
Authorized mobile importers emphasize the unfortunate timing of removing cellular and electronic devices from the VAT-exempted list and the hike in VAT given the ongoing efforts by legal importers to find solutions for the persistent Parallel Imports (PI) issue.
Accordingly, the industry had put forward practical suggestions and is actively engaged in collaboration with the TRCSL to explore viable solutions which include proposing an option for registering already in-use PI devices at a nominal fee, introducing a Tourist SIM for the duration of the incoming visitor’s VISA period, and implementing whitelisting of non-registered IMEI from mobile networks. These initiatives aim to holistically address the challenges posed by parallel imports, foster regulatory compliance, and contribute to the development of effective policies that strike a balance between industry interests and regulatory requirements. However, the sudden imposition of VAT, and at an alarmingly high percentage while the industry was working with the TRCSL, is deeply concerning. Similar situations have been observed in countries like Pakistan and Nepal.
Business
ASUS launches ‘cutting edge’ laptops in Sri Lanka for AI acceleration

ASUS and Republic of Gamers (ROG) Sri Lanka officially launched their latest suite of computing innovations, setting a new benchmark for ultra-portability, AI acceleration, and next-generation gaming experiences in the country.
Unveiled at Shangri La, Colombo on May 7th, the lineup includes five cutting-edge laptops designed to cater to students, professionals, gamers, and creators, marking a transformative leap for Sri Lanka’s tech landscape.
Leading the charge is the ASUS Zenbook A14, the world’s lightest Copilot+ PC at just 980 grams. Featuring a durable Ceraluminum chassis, Snapdragon X processor, and a 45 TOPS NPU for AI tasks, it boasts an ASUS Lumina OLED display, up to 32-hour battery life, Wi-Fi 7, and 1 TB SSD storage. Meanwhile, the gaming-focused ROG Strix SCAR 16/18 and Zephyrus G16 pack Intel Core Ultra 9 processors and NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPUs, paired with 240Hz Mini-LED displays, customizable RGB lighting, and advanced cooling systems for marathon sessions.
“Our mission is to push boundaries in performance and design,” said Eric Ou, ASUS South Asia’s Regional Head, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to innovation. The new devices blend portability with power, offering AI-enhanced workflows and gaming prowess.With multi-day battery life and groundbreaking specs, ASUS aims to redefine how Sri Lankans work, create, and play.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Business
Direct Kitchens opens flagship Colombo showroom blending Australian luxury design with local elegance

Direct Kitchens, Melbourne’s premier designer and manufacturer of high-end custom kitchens, marked a significant milestone with the launch of its first international showroom in Colombo, bringing over 40 years of world-class kitchen design expertise to sophisticated Sri Lankan homeowners. Located at No. 314, R.A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 03, the new Experience Centre reflects the brand’s commitment to luxury, craftsmanship, and innovation.
The soft launch of the showroom was attended by select invitees including Nalin Herath, Chairman and Managing Director of Home Lands Group, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, along with industry professionals and well-wishers.
For over three decades, Direct Kitchens has earned a stellar reputation in Australia for creating bespoke, luxurious kitchens that are as functional as they are visually stunning. From sleek modern designs to timeless French provincial and country styles, each kitchen is crafted with precision, using the finest materials and cutting-edge technology. The brand also specializes in a range of custom interior solutions including pantry units, wardrobes, closets, laundry units, and more—tailored to suit the lifestyle and aesthetic of each client. Direct Kitchens Sri Lanka is a subsidiary of Home Lands Group, Sri Lanka’s leading real estate solutions provider.
The Colombo Experience Centre marks the beginning of Direct Kitchens’ global journey in redefining sophisticated living spaces. Visitors to the showroom can explore a curated selection of premium kitchen displays, cabinetry styles, finishes, and fittings—guided by a team of expert designers who offer personalized consultations and complete project management services.
Speaking at the launch, Amaya Herath, Director of Direct Kitchens Sri Lanka, stated, “We are proud to bring the legacy of Direct Kitchens to Sri Lanka and offer homeowners here access to a new standard in luxury interior solutions. Our Experience Centre is more than just a showroom—it’s a space where creativity, lifestyle, and functionality meet. With our decades of expertise and design excellence, we look forward to helping our clients transform their homes into elegant, purposeful spaces.”
Business
W15 Ambuluwawa- Magic, mystery and magnificence

Harold Samuel, a British real estate mogul is credited with the phrase- location, location, location, a sentiment that will forever be pertinent and one that is evident when you behold W15 Ambuluwawa, a white clad stunning boutique hotel perched atop an outcrop of land in Gampola, offering 360-degree views of hills wearing jade and crowns of white clouds. It is a magical place that invites guests to leave the ordinary behind and step into the extraordinary and be enveloped with an utter stillness of being and a peace that transcends quiet.
W15 Ambuluwawa is indeed a rare find, a gem that has been recently added to adorn the W15 Collection, a group of luxurious boutique hotels dotted across some of the most beautiful locations in Sri Lanka. The first boutique hotel to be opened within the Ambuluwawa biodiversity project, W15 Ambuluwawa, with one master suite, 4 deluxe and 3 standard rooms, has been designed with responsibility to the surroundings and sustainability at its core. The ingenuity of architectural genius is displayed from every space in this breathtaking property as the exterior beauty is captured through floor to ceiling windows, a spacious patio and a sundeck.
Guests can expect W15’s signature exceptional service with a large staff cadre and a personal butler assigned to each room, an extraordinary al-fresco dining experience where tastebuds will be tantalized while nature paints the skies with vivid hues and birdsong provides a harmony of background music. Evenings are for breathtaking sunsets to be imbued into your restless soul while you sip a sundowner on the patio.
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